Hi,
Countries are currently negotiating how they should share information on pathogens that cause health emergencies. Additionally tied to this, they are also trying to establish obligations on how to access medical products that are developed using such information, during health emergencies.
Here is our exclusive: a quick preview of the new proposed draft of the Pathogen Access & Benefits Sharing mechanism - an annex to the Pandemic Agreement. This was released on the Friday past.
Countries are expected to begin negotiations next week (Nov.3rd-7th) at the formal meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group.
(Also keep in mind, that I am not a lawyer - the analyses and preliminary reading of this text is based on quick assessments by negotiators that I gathered by bothering them over the weekend.)
We hope you find this timely and useful.
Also, I am in Amsterdam this week for the access to medicines conference. moderating a session. If you are around, let me know!
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More later.
Best,
Priti
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I. EXCLUSIVE
Strong on the Access to Pathogen Information, Non-Binding on The Sharing of Benefits - Bureau of Intergovernmental Working Group Comes Up with Negotiating Text
The Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) set up to negotiate the Pathogen Access & Benefits Sharing (PABS) mechanism - an annex to the Pandemic Agreement, circulated a draft negotiating text on the evening of Friday, October 24, 2025.
Geneva Health Files has reviewed the draft and in this story we highlight and analyse key elements of the text.
It appears leaner than what countries would have expected it to be, especially given that 100-odd countries had submitted 17 proposals on text, some of the more comprehensive ones from developing countries replete with detailed features such as model contracts both on the access to information, and standard material transfer agreements.
The Bureau’s text, ostensibly a starting point in the negotiations lays out the annex in seven pages with three sections including on scope, objectives, use of terms; provisions for implementation of the PABS system; and governance and review.
The Bureau states that the annex reflects the written submissions from member states and their inputs during the previous consultations. It also highlights few areas that need further discussion from the IGWG, and from inputs from designated experts.
