World Health Organization Takes On Pharma Accusations

Beginning this week, the World Health Organization (WHO) is taking on a major review of its decision last year to raise the threat level of the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus to a full blown global pandemic. The final review will likely be completed by May 2011 but the process of investigation is well underway. An external committee reviewing the WHO’s actions is planning to submit an interim report next month.

TRNS reported in February 2010 on allegations that the WHO beefed up the threat of H1N1 in order to secure contributions from pharmaceutical companies who stand to gain from the increased demand for vaccinations. The article underscored that the Council of Europe was investigating the WHO for allegations that members of the WHO Emergency Committee had a vested interest in helping boost sales for pharmaceutical companies including Novartis, Cadila and BioSante, to name a few.  Several members of the Executive Committee had at one time or another worked for the private sector in the pharmaceutical industry.

WHO Spokesman, Gregory Hartl, denied the accusations: “Has there been any undue influence exercised on the WHO? The answer is no.”

India, among other countries including the United States, has requested a full and transparent investigation into the claim that the WHO hyped up the global H1N1 pandemic scare.

Since the pandemic supposedly began in April 2009, the WHO reports nearly “all” the countries in the world have become infected.

Dr. Keiji Fukuda head of the WHO Influenza Department, told the European Council panel back in February that “the influenza pandemic policies and responses recommended and taken by WHO were not improperly influenced by the pharmaceutical industry.” Fukada, however, changed his tone this week to add that there were “shortcomings” in the WHO’s declaration of a full blown H1N1 pandemic scare. He added, “confusion about phases and level of severity remains a very vexing issue. The reality is there is a huge amount of uncertainty. I think we did not convey the uncertainty.”

By overstocking nervous countries including the United States, Mexico and India, big pharmaceutical companies made billions in profits.

Dr. David Nabarro, UN Global Coordinator for Influenza responded today to a TRNS question on the allegations:

“Quite simply when this started in April (2009), we were in a situation and we had limited information on the epidemiology and we could not make confident predictions on how it was going to go.”

The 29 member expert investigation committee will be utilizing the legally binding International Health Regulations - drawn up in 2005- and will decide whether the WHO was at fault.

Harvey Fineberg, Chairman of the investigative committee and a US scientist added. “We want to hear from informed critics.”

Experts will also look fully into the direct causes of the “confusion” cited by Fukuda this week, which apparently resulted in chaos in the first months of the outbreak.

WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said on Monday she wants a “a frank, critical, transparent, credible and independent review.”

Hundreds of heated accusations from countries across the globe have plagued the Geneva headquarters of the World Health Organization in recent weeks. The idea that a fake panic over a virus that turned out to be mild in nature and infected fewer people than had been predicted by the WHO has greatly angered many within the Organization and among its global partners.

TRNS questioned Dr. Chan today about the current investigation and whether she feels the WHO made the right decision in raising the threat level of the disease:

“You raise an important question. H1N1 is causing morbidity and pregnant women and babies should be provided with information. It is important to realize that WHO needs to work with industries, technology and others to provide solutions. WHO will use all means to guard its independence, a  strong declaration of interest, and to protect all stakeholders with the best available evidence.”

A major pharmaceutical lobby, the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza (ESWI) is believed to be a central force in persuading the WHO to classify H1NI as a level 5 pandemic. Albert Osterhaus, ESWI’s chairman, is a senior adviser to WHO on influenza.