Allan Maleche, Executive Director – KELIN, makes a presentation during the Global Summit On Intellectual Property & Access To Medicines in Marrakesh, Morocco (Photo Credits: ITPC Global)
On 15-17 January 2018 KELIN participated in a global summit on intellectual property rights and access to medicines: Pathways to access. The meeting convened by International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC-Global) brought together over 100 participants representative of communities, civil society, academics, government officials, experts and international agencies.
Allan Maleche, Executive Director of KELIN, spoke at the meeting and chaired a session. His presentation focused on the Why TRIPS & Access to medicine remains relevant for Africa and why stakeholders must remain concerned about the utilization of TRIPS flexibilities. He called upon the delegates many of whom are members of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (APRIPO) to push for implementation of the recommendations from the final outcome document on the High level meeting on promoting policy coherence on health technology innovation and access in ARIPO region. He informed members that the Ministers of health had adopted the recommendations and the time was right for civil society to engage with ARIPO on moving forward the recommendations.
Video: Allan Maleche’s presentation on Why TRIPS & Access to medicine remains relevant for Africa
The meeting equally provided an opportunity for funders, civil society and communities to have candid conversations about sustaining and supporting civil society work on intellectual property. During the session Anele Yawa secretary of Treatment Action Campaign stated “we’ve been talking about TRIPS flexibilities but donors also need to be flexible. How can you talk about a theory of change to a poor and illiterate community member?” He posed this critical question to the audience and panelists.
Civil society spent half a day strategizing on the way forward after the close of the three day meeting. Draft actions plans were developed and will soon be rolled out. “This meeting comes at a time when we plan to roll out a two year grant on access to medicine with our partners CEHURD and with support from AIDS Fond. The content of the meeting has given me additional ideas to take back home as we plan to commence implementation of the grant. The grant will focus on Challenging intellectual property barriers that prevent access to treatment for people living with HIV and affected by TB in Kenya and Uganda”. Said Allan Maleche at the close of his presentation.
To contribute to the discussions on this forum, follow KELIN on our social media platforms: @KELINKenya using hashtag #GSIPA2M
Resource material.
For more information contact:
Allan Maleche,
Executive Director, KELIN
Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV & AIDS (KELIN)
4th Floor, Somak Building, Mombasa Road
Tel +254202515790; Cell +254708389870;
Email: amaleche@kelinkenya.org
