Sri Lanka’s national assessment on innovation and intellectual property for access to medical products.
Date
2016-09
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia
Abstract
In 2008, the Global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and
intellectual property (GSPA-PHI) was launched by the World Health Organization,
to stimulate fresh thinking on innovation in, and access to, medicines and to build
sustainable research on diseases disproportionately affecting low- and middleincome
countries. As part of the activities of the GSPA-PHI, Sri Lanka has been
the first country to date to assess the national environment for medical technology
and innovation. This year-long, multistakeholder, participative analysis facilitated
identification of clear and implementable policy recommendations, for the
government to increase its effectiveness in promoting innovation in health products
through institutional development, investment and coordination among all areas
relevant to public health. The assessment also highlighted areas for priority action,
including closing the technology gap in development of health products, facilitating
technology transfer, and building the health-research and allied workforces. The Sri
Lankan experience will inform the ongoing independent external evaluation of the
GSPA-PHI worldwide. The assessment process coincided with the passing of the
National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act in 2015. In addition, there is growing
recognition that regional cooperation will be critical to improving access to medical
products in the future. Sri Lanka is therefore actively promoting cooperation to
establish a regional regulatory affairs network. Lessons learnt from the Sri Lankan
assessment may also benefit other countries embarking on a national GSPA-PHI
assessment.
Description
Keywords
access to medical products, innovation, intellectual property, Sri Lanka
Citation
WHO South-East Asia Journal of Public Health 2016;5(2): 102-105.