Member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) agreed on a draft pandemic treaty. The treaty, which is expected to be approved by vote, outlines a variety of ways that countries should respond to a future pandemic. The United States is not expected to sign on to the treaty since President Trump pulled the US from the organization earlier this year. The administration also prohibited US representatives from taking part in the negotiations.
Among the key provisions in the draft treaty is a promise that all WHO member countries which share vital virus samples will receive any technologies that result from these specimens, including tests, medicines and vaccines. The WHO commits to hold as much as 20% of these products to guarantee low-income countries have access to these supplies.
Rachael Crockett, who represents an advocacy organization called Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, called the draft treaty “a product of compromise”. She said the agreement has many provisions that are strong in theory, but only if nations abide by the terms. If countries follow through on their commitments “this could change what we saw in COVID, when some populations didn’t get access to what they needed”.
Full Story: Associated Press
