Newsmaker Luncheon: Pan-American patients speak out on innovation and public health

Patient representatives from Canada, USA, and Latin America will express their perspectives on the critical issue of medical innovation and access to treatments. This Newsmaker Luncheon coincides with a meeting of World Health Organization (WHO) delegates from the Americas Regions who are gathering in Ottawa to discuss the draft strategy and action plan of the WHO Intergovernmental Working Group on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property (IGWG).

While this draft strategy was intended to address the need for new treatments and improved access – especially for “neglected” diseases primarily in developing countries – many patient groups fear that components of the proposed plan will have serious negative consequences for all patients.
Key to the patient concern is the fact that, to date, patients and patient groups have not been included in the discussion.

WHEN:
October 22, 2007
11:30 - Noon – media registration
Noon – Luncheon is served
12:10pm – Welcome and introductions
12:20 – 1:15pm – Overview and framing of issues
– Presentation on patents and developing countries
– Discussion on innovation and access
1:15pm – Q&A and interview opportunities

WHERE:
Sheraton Hotel – O’Connor Room (main level)
150 Albert Street, Ottawa, ON

WHO:
Durhane Wong-Rieger, Chair of Consumer Advocare Network
Dr. Kristina Lybecker, Professor of Economics, Colorado College
Dr. Wayne Taylor, Health Leadership Institute
Pan-American patient groups