The WHO Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework: A Milestone in Global Governance for Health

Fidler and Gostin discuss the World Health Organization's (WHO) pandemic influenza preparedness (PIP) framework for the sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits in Apr 2011. The framework governs sharing "H5N1 and other influenza viruses with human pandemic potential and the sharing of benefits," but does not apply to seasonal influenza or noninfluenza biological materials. It improves preparedness through WHO's Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System by encouraging states to share viruses and enhance equitable access to benefits. Framework principles include sovereignty over biological resources, virus and benefit sharing on an equal footing, and financing mechanisms for equitable access to benefits. The framework is a landmark in global governance for health, representing the first international agreement on influenza virus and benefit sharing. The framework, however, reflects compromises that could jeopardize more equitable allocation of benefits in a future pandemic. Implementing innovative global governance strategies is often frustrating, underfunded, and inadequate.