Health Policy Watch: Drug R&D, Sexual & Reproductive Health Scrutinized In Draft UHC Declaration
“Disclosure of costs for drug research and development (R&D) and ‘alternative financing mechanisms’ for new health products remain outstanding points to be resolved by countries in finalizing a draft United Nations General Assembly political declaration on universal health coverage (UHC). A final draft of the declaration had been expected [last] week, but as of Friday afternoon, language on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and drug development issues appeared to be unresolved in the draft text, obtained by Health Policy Watch. … [The SRHR] language has been controversial in light of opposition by the U.S. as well as some developing countries to any references to sexual or reproductive health that could imply access to abortion. Additionally, the Group of 77 (G77), a coalition of 134 developing nations, have experienced sharp differences of opinion on both access to abortion and contraception, and members have decided not to vote as a bloc on the issue, sources said…” (Branigan, 7/19).