WHO PANDEMIC AGREEMENT from #clatpost and #clatexpress #gktoday #drishtiias current affairs topic

🧾 WHO Pandemic Agreement – Overview (Finalized: April 16, 2025)
📌 Background
• Initiated: December 2021, post-COVID-19 pandemic.
• Aim: Address global inequities in pandemic response (vaccines, diagnostics, data sharing).
• Triggered by: Failures during COVID-19 – vaccine hoarding, slow response, data secrecy.

🔑 Key Features of the Treaty
1. Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS)
• Countries must share pathogen/genomic data.
• They will receive equitable access to the resulting diagnostics, drugs, vaccines.
• Governance and logistics of PABS will be detailed post-adoption.
2. Pharmaceutical Commitments
• 10% of pandemic-related products to be donated to WHO.
• Another 10% to be sold at affordable prices.
• Technology transfer on mutually agreed terms – a shift from the prior voluntary model.
3. R&D and National Policies
• Public R&D funding must include access and equity clauses.
• States encouraged to intervene to ensure innovations benefit all.
• Promote tech sharing with developing country manufacturers.

⚖️ Legal Status
• Binding under international law – 2nd such WHO treaty (after 2003 Tobacco Control Convention).
• But limited: Clause 24(3) – WHO cannot override national laws, or enforce lockdowns, vaccine mandates, or travel bans.

🌍 Geopolitical & Industry Reaction
• U.S. withdrew from negotiations after Trump rejoined presidency in Jan 2025, creating a significant void.
• IFPMA (Pharma lobby) raised concerns: need for IP protection, legal certainty to sustain innovation.

🏢 WHO & India
• WHO HQ: Geneva, Switzerland.
• Established: 7 April 1948 (World Health Day).
• India joined: 12 Jan 1948.
• Regional office (South East Asia): New Delhi.
• Played key roles in smallpox eradication and polio elimination.

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