The Australian Centre for Health Law Research hosted a one-day, in-person symposium on intellectual property and public health on Friday, 8th December 2023.
This event explored the multi-dimensional topic of intellectual property and public health in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. It covered the fields of trademark law, consumer protection, patent law, trade secrets, and data protection. The event focused on high-profile public health issues in this field – including tobacco control; e-cigarette regulation; health and food labelling; greenwashing; access to essential medicines; and biotechnology patents. It examined the role of intellectual property in the promotion of public health, nutrition, and sustainable development. This event also considered how intellectual property impacts upon health professionals – such as doctors, surgeons, and nurses – and their patients.
Symposium presentations (in-person)
Strengthening WHO FCTC Implementation in Australia and Beyond: Where to Next? Hayley Jones, McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer:
The Tobacco Endgame: Intellectual Property, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development, Professor Matthew Rimmer, QUT:
e-Cigarette Litigation and Regulation, Professor Matthew Rimmer, QUT:
Food Standards, Food Regulation, Food Law, Health Star Regulation, Associate Professor Helen Vidgen, QUT:
Controlling the Information Environment for Alcohol: The Regulation of Alcohol Labelling, Packaging and Advertising, Professor Paula O’Brien, University of Melbourne:
Ireland’s Proposed Alcohol Health Warning Labels: Arguments at the WTO, Associate Professor Deborah Gleeson, La Trobe University, and Professor Paula O’Brien, University of Melbourne:
The Australian Greenwashing Inquiry, Professor Matthew Rimmer, QUT:
The WHO Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response Accord: Proposals for Advancing Equitable Access to Pandemic-related Products and their Prospects for Success, Associate Professor Deborah Gleeson, La Trobe University:
Access to Medicines: Data Exclusivity and Patent Monopoly Extension, Dr Teddy Henriksen, University of the Sunshine Coast:
Intellectual Property Commercialisation, Dr Erin Rayment, Executive Director, Industry Engagement, QUT:
CRISPR Patent Dispute: Impact on Future Innovation and Dissemination, Dr Muhammad Zaheer Abbas, QUT:
Symposium presentations (online)
‘The Genome Defense’ – Gene Patents, Civil Rights and Access to Health: Professor Jorge Contreras
African Regionalism and the use of TRIPS Flexibilities to Promote Access to Medicines: Dr Olasupo Owoeye, University of Augsburg
Equitable Access to Medicines and Vaccines from a South Centre Perspective: Professor Carlos Correa, Executive Director of the South Centre
The ‘Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System’ in the Pandemic Treaty – Dr Michelle Rourke