Friday, February 16, 2007
Indonesian Govt to meet WHO over virus samples
The Indonesian government is set to meet with high-ranking officials from the United Nations health organization Friday to settle a disagreement over the sharing of bird flu virus samples.
Health Minister Siti Fadillah Supari declined to disclose details of the agenda Thursday but hinted that she would bring up the substance of the Material Transfer Agreement (MTA), a protocol for virus-sharing.
“I will meet both Heyman and Fukuda here, tomorrow,” she said, referring to David Heyman, World Health Organization (WHO) acting assistant director general for communicable diseases and Keiji Fukuda, acting director of WHO’s Global Influenza Program.
Under the transfer agreement, the recipient agrees to specific constraints, such as not sharing the sample with others or using it for commercial purposes.
Indonesia has refused to send its virus samples to foreign laboratories, including collaborating centers under the WHO, since the beginning of this year. Siti termed the move a “reaction” after Australia-based pharmaceutical company CSL Ltd. developed human vaccines “without Jakarta’s consent” using the Indonesian strain sent to WHO centers.
Siti called it a timely move to ‘speak up’ for equality and justice.
Indonesia last week appointed Swiss-based Baxter Healthcare SA, a subsidiary of U.S. drug maker Baxter International Inc., to develop human vaccines with the Indonesian strain.
The refusal to share drew immediate criticism from many who said Indonesia’s move could jeopardize the world’s access to a pandemic vaccine, especially if Indonesia became the epicenter of a global outbreak.
According to Siti, Indonesia’s decision to control its virus samples has gained support from other developing countries.
“The most important thing is that we speak out. I don’t really care about the result. Besides, usually, we, the third world, lose the battle,” she said with a smile.
“But as an international organization, WHO should have been wise, fair and neutral.”
Avian influenza story link: Indonesian News