# 796
But exactly what that means, and how it will be revised, isn't really addressed in this report from Reuters. They apparently will set up a `working committee', figure something out, and get back to us.
WHO to revamp system for sharing flu virus
Tue 22 May 2007, 17:44 GMT
By Stephanie Nebehay
GENEVA, May 22 (Reuters) - The World Health Organisation on Tuesday agreed to demands from Indonesia and other developing countries to revamp its 50-year-old system for sharing influenza virus samples which are used to develop commercial vaccines.
It agreed to set up a working group to revise the "terms of reference" for WHO laboratories which analyse samples -- including deadly H5N1 bird flu -- and draw up rules for sharing them with third parties such as researchers and drug companies.
Sharing samples is deemed vital to see if viruses have mutated, become drug resistant or grown more transmissible.
"We are here to listen to our member states' wishes. They've set up a mechanism now to develop the best ways we can work now on virus sharing and sharing in the benefits," David Heymann, WHO's top bird flu official, told Reuters.
The WHO, a U.N. agency, will also work to ensure "fair and equitable distribution" of pandemic influenza vaccines at affordable prices, according to the agreed resolution.
In the meantime, countries are expected to continue "timely sharing" of virus samples with the WHO's labs to help track the virus and assess the risk of an influenza pandemic.
The consensus text, approved by a committee of the annual World Health Assembly, came after arduous negotiations. It is expected to be formally adopted by all 193 member states at the end of the 10-day session on Wednesday.
(cont.)
