Philip founded Geneva Network in 2015. His main research interests are the intersection of intellectual property, trade, and health policy. Formerly he was an official at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, where he worked in its Global Challenges Division on a range of IP and health issues. Prior to his time with WIPO, Philip worked as director of policy for International Policy Network, a UK-based think tank, as well as holding research positions with the Adam Smith Institute and Reform, both in London. He has also worked as a political risk consultant and a management consultant. He is a regular columnist in a wide range of international newspapers and has published a number of academic studies. He holds degrees from the London School of Economics and Durham University (UK). He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs, Malaysia.
While researchers in universities and private-sector laboratories work round-the-clock for new treatments and vaccines for Covid-19, physicians rely on a broad cabinet of older medicines to help patients through their darkest hour.
The Covid-19 pandemic has illustrated the importance of global trade for access to all kinds of medical supplies, with many jurisdictions suffering shortages of essential medical goods as a result of various trade barriers.
Health data and digital technologies will be essential for improving global health outcomes beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Low- and middle-income nations,
At the 73rd World Health Assembly earlier this week, public health officials from dozens of countries gathered — virtually, of course — to discuss strategies to defeat COVID-19.
With around a third of the world’s population in lockdown, humanity desperately needs new treatments to turn the tide against COVID-19.
Separating the cost of biopharmaceutical research and development from the final market price of medicines would misalign incentives, raise bureaucratic costs, and limit innovation.
The WHO is most effective when it unites nations around practical solutions, rather than dividing them in ideological debates. Next week in Geneva the Executive Board needs to steady the ship. WHO’s proper role should to be to set the top priorities for global health, and not try to be all things to all people. WHO must get back to basics, and put politics to one side.
The Bangkok Insight covers the latest Geneva Network Report, “Thailand must raise intellectual property protection standards”.
