Menu

New report provides guidelines for the examination of patent applications...

The United Nations Development Programme has released a new publication, titled Guidelines for the Examination of Patent Applications relating to Pharmaceuticals, which aims at providing guidance for countries to enhance the functioning and transparency of the patent system for the timely and affordable access to lifesaving treatment. Affordable access to treatment is closely linked with the aspiration to ensure health and well-being for all, as embodied in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.

Continue Reading...

New UNDP HIV, Health and Development Strategy 2016-2021

UNDP has released its new HIV, Health and Development Strategy 2016-2021: Connecting the Dots. The strategy elaborates UNDP’s work on HIV and health in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UNDP has an important role in supporting health outcomes by helping countries to address the social, cultural and economic determinants of HIV and health, in partnership with UN entities and other organizations.

Continue Reading...

Review of Country Progress in addressing legal and policy barriers to universal...

UNDP, UNAIDS and ESCAP have jointlyed released a review of country prograess in addressing legal and policy barriers to universal access to HIV services in Asia and the Pacific. The review was jointly conducted to inform preparations of country delegations for the UN General-Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS, 6-8 June 2016 in New York. It highlights significant examples of progress in removing legal and policy barriers to accessing HIV services since 2012. Data for this report is based on country responses from two regional surveys – conducted in January 2015 and February 2016 – from the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Cook Island, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR

Continue Reading...
Placeholder

Laws criminalizing drug possession can cause more harm

Coca farmers sell coca leaves at a market in Villa 14 de Septiembre village in Bolivia. Photo: Carlos Cazalis/Corbis

By Tenu Avafia, Team Leader, Rights, Law and Treatment Access, HIV, Health and Development and Rebecca Schleifer, Consultant, HIV, Human Rights and the Law

In many countries, a criminal record, even for a minor offense, can have serious implications. Being convicted of a crime makes you ineligible for certain jobs, social programmes or benefits or from even being able to exercise your right to vote.

Continue Reading...