UN pricks pharma’s conscience
The United Nations special rapporteur on the “right to health” says better policing is needed to ensure the pharmaceutical industry fulfils its social responsibilities.
Paul Hunt was speaking at a conference in Basel hosted by the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development (NFSD).
His comments come as the pharma sector faces increasing attacks over issues ranging from drug prices to scandals such as the recent market withdrawal of the painkiller, Vioxx.
A US opinion poll published last week showed that the percentage of adults who think drug companies “generally do a good job of serving their consumers” had dropped from 80 per cent to just over 40 per cent since 1997.
“Although big issues remain, in recent years some pharmaceutical companies have made significant progress in relation to their corporate social responsibility,” said Hunt.
“However, I am struck by the absence of accessible, effective, transparent and independent accountability mechanisms in relation to corporate social responsibility.
“Some reporting initiatives are impressive…. [and] public candid self-reporting is very welcome. But self-reporting is no substitute for an independent accountability mechanism.”
All on board?
Hunt proposed a two-stage, five-year programme to address this issue.
In a first step, a small group of experts, comprising human-rights representatives and executives from pharma companies, would meet on a regular basis to examine and define the “right to health responsibilities” of the industry as a whole.
After two years, they would publish a final report, including proposals for concrete action.
In a second stage, an ad-hoc group of independent experts would be established for a trial period of three years to periodically review the policies and practices of pharma companies from the point of view of the right to health.
This group would produce reports and non-binding recommendations for companies.
NFSD president and CEO Klaus Leisinger welcomed the proposals and suggested implementing them within the existing Business Leaders Initiative on Human Rights, set up last year by former UN Human Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson.
“This is something we think makes sense and could help clarify expectations,” he said. “If we can do what you propose, with your assistance, within this group, you will have us [Novartis] on board right away.”
Double standards?
The 25th annual symposium of the NFSD focused on the topic: “The Right to Health – a Duty for Whom?”
Participants stressed the importance of creating basic health infrastructure, as well as providing access to affordable and effective medicines.
Several speakers pointed out that while the right to health was clearly codified in legal terms, it was not applied in the same way as civil and political rights.
“If a government fails to observe the right to health, it may get away with it,” said Khama Rogo, the World Bank’s leading specialist for human development in Africa.
“However, if it fails to respect property rights – as Mugabe did in Zimbabwe – it will face an embargo.”
No easy solutions
Daniel Vasella, Novartis president and CEO, told the conference that the main goal of pharmaceutical companies was to produce and sell high-quality medicines, while ensuring an acceptable return on investment for shareholders.
Solving worldwide health problems was the task of governments and development agencies, not the private sector, he added.
But Vasella accepted that companies could play a key role – for instance, by reinvesting part of their profits in projects such as the NFSD.
“Though it might be an uncomfortable way to go, we are convinced that dialogue with critics and constructive engagement are essential to finding common ground for progress,” added Leisinger.
swissinfo, Chris Lewis in Basel
UN special rapporteur Paul Hunt has proposed setting up “independent accountability” systems in the pharmaceutical sector.
Hunt was speaking this week at the annual symposium of the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development.
He said these could supplement existing “self-reporting” initiatives.
NFSD president and CEO Leisinger welcomed the proposal.
The NSFD was set up 25 years ago and has a budget of more than SFr100 million ($87.5 million).
It works with governments and international bodies to promote disease prevention and treatment programmes in developing countries.
Programmes include provision of over three million free therapy treatments to leprosy patients worldwide.
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