Ashleigh Furlong @ashleighfurlong Twitter profile

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

4 years

The PM completely sidestepping my question on EU/UK collaboration on coronavirus.

Simon Gosden. Esq. #fbpe 3.5% 🇪🇺🐟🇬🇧🏴‍☠️🦠💙

@g_gosden

4 years

#ToryBrexit Britain 2020: asked a question about #coronavirus that you daren’t answer. Pull a funny face and talk about something else entirely. #NotMyPM

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

NEW: Over the last 7 months a team at POLITICO & WELT have been investigating how 4 organizations came to lead the global pandemic response. We detail how these groups, including the Gates Foundation, took on roles usually played by governments🧵 1/

How Bill Gates and partners used their clout to control the global Covid response — with little...

Four health organizations, working closely together, spent almost $10 billion on responding to Covid across the world. But they lacked the scrutiny of governments, and fell short of their own goals,...

www.politico.com

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

SCOOP: There's a TRIPS waiver compromise. It's been reached between EU, SA, India & US and currently only covers vaccines. Caveat: It still needs approval from EU countries and rest of WTO members. But it's BIG news. 🧵on what's in the text: 1/5

Compromise reached on COVID-19 vaccine intellectual property rights waiver

15 Mar 2022 - Pro Alert - By Ashleigh Furlong

api.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

3 years

Africa wants to tap into the promise of mRNA through a tech transfer hub and produce a COVID-19 vaccine, but Big Pharma is pushing back. Why? They fear losing control over a technology that holds promise for TB, Ebola and HIV.

Africa wants to produce a coronavirus vaccine — and Big Pharma’s not happy

A proposed mRNA tech transfer hub would let multiple manufacturers learn how to produce vaccines.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

5 months

📢Some very exciting work news from me: Today is my first day as a health reporter for Bloomberg. Message me with tips or for coffee (in person if in London or virtual if not). Email is afurlong4 @bloomberg .net or DM me. I can't wait to get stuck in.

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

NEW: Who killed the COVID vaccine waiver? That’s what POLITICO & the Bureau of Investigative Journalism set out to find. The whodunit exposes how lobbying, threats & the need to protect industry gutted the TRIPS waiver. w/ @SamuelHorti , @SarahAnneAarup 🧵1/

Who killed the COVID vaccine waiver?

The inside story of how lobbying, threats and the desire to protect industry gutted a proposal that was meant to make vaccines widely available in poorer countries.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

5 months

📢Today is my last day at POLITICO. I’ve loved working with some of the smartest, most collaborative journalists out there and I’m incredibly grateful to the sources who've shared their time and insights with me over the last four years. Details on the next adventure in 2024!

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

10 months

A South African court has ordered the government to publish COVID-19 vaccine contracts w/ Pfizer, J&J, COVAX in 10 days. A significant moment in the global push for transparency around these deals. Ruling comes following case brought by @HealthJusticeIn

Court orders South Africa to publish COVID-19 vaccine contracts

17 Aug 2023 - Pro Article - By Ashleigh Furlong

api.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

8 years

Chaos breaking out at UCT @GroundUp_News #UCT #Fees2017

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

With monkeypox, global health solidarity is dead. Africa has majority of monkeypox deaths but no vaccines. It echoes early days of the HIV crisis & COVID vax nationalism. The message it's sending? African lives are worth less than European ones.

Monkeypox deals fatal blow to global health solidarity

Despite most monkeypox deaths occurring in Africa, the continent has yet to receive any vaccines.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Some experts are raising questions about the decisions taken by these orgs on intellectual property, equitable access & the inclusion of civil society in their work. Critics say no one is holding them to account. 4/

How Bill Gates and partners used their clout to control the global Covid response — with little...

Four health organizations, working closely together, spent almost $10 billion on responding to Covid across the world. But they lacked the scrutiny of governments, and fell short of their own goals,...

www.politico.com

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

3 years

Vaccine apartheid is about to get a whole lot worse. Wealthy countries are racing to give boosters, but lower-income countries — facing significant supply shortages — are looking to lower doses to stretch supplies. With @DeutschJill :

Rich countries look to third shots, poor countries to half-doses in ‘two-track’ pandemic

Wealthy nations are moving ahead with third doses — while supply problems are leading low-income countries to consider lower doses.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

The investigation is not about apportioning blame — rather it's an attempt to catalog what happened during the pandemic & explain why we ended up where we did. It's about more than COVID as the orgs are getting ready to respond to the next pandemic. 5/

How Bill Gates and partners used their clout to control the global Covid response — with little...

Four health organizations, working closely together, spent almost $10 billion on responding to Covid across the world. But they lacked the scrutiny of governments, and fell short of their own goals,...

www.politico.com

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

We pored over meeting minutes, financial reports, and lobbying & tax documents. It's the first comprehensive analysis of the spending and influence that these 4 orgs had during the pandemic. TLDR version: Countless meetings and a whole lot of cash. 3/

How Bill Gates and partners used their clout to control the global Covid response — with little...

Four health organizations, working closely together, spent almost $10 billion on responding to Covid across the world. But they lacked the scrutiny of governments, and fell short of their own goals,...

www.politico.com

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

A week ago, the world’s first mRNA vaccine tech transfer hub had reason to celebrate. It had produced the drug formulation for a COVID-19 vaccine based on Moderna's jab. All without help from Big Pharma. This week's Global Pulse has the details:

Seth Berkley’s tall order

www.politico.com

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

SCOOP: The draft pandemic treaty would tie countries into big new promises. The text, seen by POLITICO, shakes up conditions for granting R&D $, including conditions around disclosure of contractual terms for pandemic products & calls for transfer of tech🧵

A new pandemic playbook: Draft treaty sets out far-reaching new rules for countries

17 Nov 2022 - Pro Article - By Ashleigh Furlong

api.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

3 years

Novavax vaccine approval decision is expected in November, according to a doc seen by POLITICO. Unclear whether it's WHO or EMA approval, but likely WHO given relevance to COVAX. Potential gamechanger for supply as COVAX could access over 1B doses.

Novavax vaccine approval decision expected in November, says COVAX

4 Oct 2021 - Pro Alert - By Ashleigh Furlong

api.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

The investigation looks at the financial and political connections that enabled Gates, CEPI, Gavi and Wellcome to fill the void during the pandemic. The most concrete outcome was the ACT-Accelerator, which fell short of its goals. 2/

How Bill Gates and partners used their clout to control the global Covid response — with little...

Four health organizations, working closely together, spent almost $10 billion on responding to Covid across the world. But they lacked the scrutiny of governments, and fell short of their own goals,...

www.politico.com

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

It's been fantastic to work on this with @ErinBanco , @LennartPfahler , @antennedowideit . We have spent many, many hours on calls together and even a couple of days trawling through reams of data in-person in Berlin. Here's to more long-term and cross-Atlantic investigations! END

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

What's important is it waives Article 31(f) so production doesn't need to only be used for domestic purposes. That means a country that's producing jab under these terms can export to another eligible member. 5/5

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Top cast here today to announce expansion WHO mRNA vaccine hub — Ramaphosa, Sall, von der Leyen, Michel, Macron. Indicative of the importance of increasing vaccine manufacturing on the African continent. #EUAUSummit

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

3 years

Gordon Brown has revealed that 10M J&J doses produced by Aspen in South Africa are being sent back to Europe. Asked about this Commission said production capacity for J&J in SA would be split 40/60 (40% to EU) until the end of Sept. Mini 🧵1/n

Gordon Brown: 10M J&J doses produced in South Africa are being sent to Europe

16 Aug 2021 - Pro Article - By Ashleigh Furlong

api.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

4 years

This lack of response appears to be part of London's attempt to reiterate that Brexit means Brexit, even when it comes to coronavirus. @CharlieCooper8 and I take a closer look:

Brexit sets UK apart on coronavirus

London insists that it doesn’t need the EU superstructure to speak to its neighbors.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

3 years

Forgetting about the contracts for a moment, the optics are pretty awful: Africa exporting millions of vaccines to EU — which has fully vaccinated about 53% of whole population — while Africa hasn't even fully vaccinated 2% of population. 4/4

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

You heard it here first in Jan & now I have the full story: A South African lab has created what is hoped will be a replica of Moderna's vaccine — without Moderna's help. I spoke to those running the project that aims to democratize vaccine production:

Copying Moderna’s jab: The project to democratize vaccine production

A lab in South Africa aims to become the developing world’s hub for sharing the know-how to produce mRNA vaccines.

www.politico.eu

Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

A week ago, the world’s first mRNA vaccine tech transfer hub had reason to celebrate. It had produced the drug formulation for a COVID-19 vaccine based on Moderna's jab. All without help from Big Pharma. This week's Global Pulse has the details:

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

3 years

Bolivia announced today that it wants to import 15 million J&J vaccines produced under a compulsory license by Canadian drugmaker Biolyse. Canada has yet to grant the license but if approved it would be a landmark moment.

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

3 years

TRIPS waiver klaxon 📢 (or rather anti-klaxon): Countries still can't agree & are asking General Council next week for more time to discuss the waiver & EU proposal. They will meet again in early Sept. That would be just shy of a year since SA/India first proposed the waiver...

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

3 years

Significant letter out today from 100+ intellectual property academics calling on EU, UK and others opposing TRIPS waiver to reconsider. It's noteworthy as these are arguably the people who best understand the implications of the waiver for all sides (and from impartial POV).

LSE

@LSEnews

3 years

“Intellectual Property rights are not absolute rights. They are granted and recognised under the condition that they serve the public interest" Waive IP rules for #COVID #vaccines urge 100+ IP academic experts. @SivaThambisetty @DrLukeMcDonagh 👇👇👇

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

It's not just compulsory licensing. i.e. a country can decide to issue a decree/ executive order etc to enable production of COVID vaccines without patent holder's consent. No need to negotiate with rights holder. And a single authorization would cover multiple patents. 4/5

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

8 months

POLITICO has obtained a copy of latest pandemic treaty/ accord text which retains provision on time-bound IP waivers on pandemic products. IFPMA not happy, saying better to have no pandemic treaty than this one. Text available for Pro subscribers.

Document: Pandemic treaty text retains IP waiver

17 Oct 2023 - Pro Alert - By Ashleigh Furlong

api.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

1 year

Wood-burning stoves add to a city’s level of air pollution — but the sky-high energy costs are leading more and more people to use them. This trend is undoing years of work to reduce their use across Europe. 🧵

Up in smoke: Cities grapple with run on wood-burning stoves

The smoky emissions from burning wood have serious health impacts — particularly in dense urban areas.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

7 months

Earlier this week at #POLITICOHealthCare summit I got the opportunity to interview WHO Chief Scientist Jeremy Farrar (in person! health journo dreams coming true!) He spoke about dengue becoming endemic in Europe, preparing for the next pandemic & the erosion of trust in science.

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

3 years

Big Pharma needs to "move quickly instead of resisting" ramping up vaccine production in developing nations, WTO boss Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told @SarahAnneAarup and me. Full story on how helping solve vaccine inequity might bring the WTO back to relevance:

Vaccines give Okonjo-Iweala a way to put WTO back on the map

New Nigerian boss in Geneva wants a deal on medicine access by November.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Tedros' remarks today could've been lifted from 2021's dark days of vax inequity. "It's simply not acceptable in worst pandemic in century that innovative treatments that could save lives aren't reaching those that need them...meanwhile manufacturers are posting record profits."

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

According to Commission doc, it would cover COVID-19 vaccines & after 6 months this would be reconsidered to potentially cover tests & therapeutics. Could apply for 3 or 5 years. 2/5

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

The WHO's Europe office has warned of an "expected health emergency" in Ukraine. With UN partners, it's scaling up for both casualties from the war and damage to health systems. Alongside only just passing the peak of its worst COVID surge, Ukraine also has a polio outbreak.

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

3 years

These companies want to help produce coronavirus vaccines. But vaccine developers won’t let them. Biolyse in Canada, Incepta in Bangladesh, Teva in Israel and Bavarian Nordic in Denmark have all asked to help produce vaccines — as yet, none has a deal.

Big vaccine makers reject offers to help produce more jabs

Several drugmakers say they have capacity to help produce millions of doses.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

A little facility in Cape Town has done the seemingly impossible - produced what they hope will be Moderna's vaccine, but without any help from Moderna. When I first reported on this in January I promised the full story, and here it is:

Copying Moderna’s jab: The project to democratize vaccine production

A lab in South Africa aims to become the developing world’s hub for sharing the know-how to produce mRNA vaccines.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Important limitation: It would only apply to a "developing country Member that exported less than 10 % of world exports of COVID-19 vaccine doses in 2021." So does it cover India... I need to do some maths! 3/5

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Polio has returned to the West. UK & US are scrambling to get kids vaccinated but once the spread is under control a bigger truth remains: “[It’s] a reminder that we are all in the same global fight against this virus,” said Oxford's Andrew Pollard.

A rude awakening: The return of polio to the West

Polio won’t be eradicated in Europe and the US as long as it is still spreading elsewhere, say leading experts.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

10 months

We're working on a series of stories on e-cigarettes, which are tripping up policymakers around the world. From the divide between science & policy; questions of regulation; to the ever present Big Tobacco, we're covering it all. Here's the first piece:

The science is clear. So why can’t governments agree on vaping?

The great divide on what to do about e-cigarettes is only growing wider.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

3 years

The Oxford/ AstraZeneca vaccine was meant to save the world. But its politicization by EU countries, a botched communication strategy and an over-promising of doses — may have ruined Africa’s best chance out of the pandemic. with @DeutschJill :

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

@SamuelHorti @SarahAnneAarup It’s no secret Big Pharma opposed the waiver. But we found evidence of countries being told investments would be reconsidered if they backed waiver. In some cases, countries took decisions to delay support for waiver fearing repercussions from industry. 2/

Who killed the COVID vaccine waiver?

The inside story of how lobbying, threats and the desire to protect industry gutted a proposal that was meant to make vaccines widely available in poorer countries.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

5 months

With less than six months to go until the pandemic treaty is meant to be agreed, countries are still not really negotiating, diplomats say. My last piece with POLITICO:

Why the world’s first pandemic treaty may never happen

With less than six months to go, countries are still not really negotiating, say diplomats.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

The EU wants to have more muscle in reshaping the global health order through its #EUGlobalHealthStrategy . But for it to succeed, the Commission is will have to convince EU countries (& rest of the world) to buy into its vision. 🧵on key issues emerging:

EU seeks to beef up its global health powers

30 Nov 2022 - Pro Article - By Ashleigh Furlong

api.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Only 40% of coronavirus vaccines donated by the EU via COVAX have been delivered. Where exactly is the holdup? @SarahBencharif & I tried to find out what's going wrong. The short answer: No one comes out blameless. For the longer answer read our piece 👇

Tens of millions of Europe’s donated vaccines haven’t arrived. Who’s to blame?

Only 40 percent of the EU’s total doses donated through COVAX have actually been delivered.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Back at it with a slightly better view for the next couple of weeks. Really grateful to have finally made it home. Another important year for health policy. First big question: What does an endemic state for COVID look like (and does South African experience shed any light)?

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

SCOOP: The African Union's draft text for a declaration coming out of EU-AU summit makes one thing clear — EU can't ignore TRIPS waiver proposal. AU has also rejected suggestion of an 'alliance' between the two, instead calling it a 'renewed partnership.'

Morning Health Care: Scoop: Africa’s EU summit draft — New health union report — Vaccine contract...

9 Feb 2022 - Pro Newsletter - By Ashleigh Furlong

api.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Earlier this week I visited the hub in Cape Town and sat down with Petro Terblanche, managing director of Afrigen, the developer behind the hub. More to come soon but here's a picture of the facility. The box with the little stripes is where the vaccine formulation was produced!

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

@SamuelHorti @SarahAnneAarup But the fight over intellectual property rights may be only just beginning. “COVID was the real moment for that change. It hasn't come. But I can tell you we will win this sooner than later,” UNAIDS’ Winnie Byanyima told us. 6/

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

The US has proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations that would require swifter action by countries & WHO during an emergency, as well as giving the WHO greater powers to act during a crisis, according to a document obtained by POLITICO.

US proposes beefed-up regulations for health emergencies

23 Feb 2022 - Pro Alert - By Ashleigh Furlong

api.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

11 months

The WHO isn't exactly known for its relatable, funny content. It's a serious public health organization after all. But kudos to them for this fun explainer on the treaty. Tackles conspiracy theories, like those from Russell Brand, head on.

Pandemic Accord Explained with Steven Solomon

Steven Solomon, WHO Principal Legal Officer, unpacks the pandemic accord. The accord, being developed by countries, can be a game-changer in pandemic prevent...

www.youtube.com

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

@SamuelHorti @SarahAnneAarup Potentially rogue members like Italy & France were brought into line. Germany led charge in support of opposition to waiver, with Ireland, Sweden & Denmark backing up Berlin, according to docs. The result? A result described as “useless” by a diplomat. 5/

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

3 years

Not mincing his words: WHO DG @DrTedros says countries vaccinating younger healthy people do so "at the cost of the lives" of health workers, elderly and other at risk groups. Articulates my own anger at the fact that I will get a jab before my 92 yr old grandad back home.

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

There's a newly leaked text on the IP vaccine 'waiver' and it shows just how divided countries are. Key issues include which countries the text will apply to and the terms related to the export of vaccines produced under the decision.

Morning Health Care: IP waiver text — Right to be forgotten — Predicting the pandemic

31 May 2022 - Pro Newsletter - By Ashleigh Furlong

api.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has just been re-elected for a second term of 5 years as Director General of the WHO. Foregone conclusion but significant nonetheless #WHA75

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

EU Global Health Strategy launching today. I'll be tweeting top lines from presser & launch event. But one thing Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides already told Morning Health Care: EU wants formal WHO observer status and eventually full membership 👇

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

1 year

Much appreciated reminder that stories on global health should be truly global. Including expert voices from Global South doesn't only make an article more inclusive, it usually makes it a stronger piece of journalism. (Thank you for pushing me & colleagues to do better Madhu!)

Madhu Pai, MD, PhD

@paimadhu

1 year

10 best practices for equitable & inclusive global health journalism Excited to share this piece, co-authored with @missanabeem @qz A big thanks to everyone who contributed to a Twitter thread and pitched in! 🙏🏾

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

9 months

Disabled passengers told POLITICO of the endless challenges they face when flying in the EU — from damaged wheelchairs to demeaning treatment. Meanwhile, the EU isn't interested in reforming its legislation on the issie. From @MariEccles and me:

Disabled passengers push for EU to reform ‘nightmare’ air travel

Travelers complain that EU rules aren’t well-suited to dealing with the challenges of disabled people.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

8 years

Student taken inside building by private security. Some of her braids were ripped out @GroundUp_News #Fees2017 #UCT

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

1 year

Packed room for the #WHA76 roundtable on pandemic treaty & IHR amendments. Lineup includes WHO DG Tedros; Roland Driece, co-chair INB negotiating the treaty; Abdullah Assiri, co-chair working Group on Amendments to the IHR and U.S.'s Xavier Becerra. Will be live-tweeting:

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

1 year

WHO DG Tedros with pretty damning remarks on vaping: Narrative of e-cigs as harm reduction "is a trap." Tedros says kids are being recruited at an early age because they "think that it's cool... [with] different colors, different flavors.... Then, they get hooked for life."

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

@SamuelHorti @SarahAnneAarup It’s been a privilege to work w/ the Bureau's @SamuelHorti . Kudos to @christinagiles for the Herculean editing effort. It’s really exciting that POLITICO is embarking on investigations like this — @Busvine has been a fantastic cheerleader for this work, as has @NicholasVinocur .

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Europe has a case of collective public health amnesia. COVID-19 saw vax nationalism & contradictory guidance; while HIV crisis was marred by homophobia & unequal access. Now, with monkeypox, history is repeating itself. Story w/ @l_guillot & @aitorehm :

Anger and anxiety stalk EU’s monkeypox vaccine lottery

Vaccine tourism is back as people seek to protect themselves against illness and stigma.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

#EUGlobalHealthStrategy launch event kicking off. Important to note, doc is just a communication from Commission & so not binding on EU countries. Possibly more consequential outcome will be Council conclusions on the strategy that are expected under Swedish Presidency in 2023.

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

1 year

The US wants to gut provisions on IP in draft pandemic treaty, according to April 4 text. ❌ Proposes deleting language that calls for waiving IP right for pandemic products ❌ wants to water down requirement for manufacturers to share tech, know-how

Document: US defangs intellectual property provisions in draft pandemic treaty

13 Apr 2023 - Pro Alert - By Ashleigh Furlong

api.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Winnie Byanyima called for a further investigation. MEP Terhes now suggesting the EP's special COVID committee should discuss the findings of @TBIJ and @POLITICOEurope 's investigation into the TRIPS waiver. 👀

Cristian Terhes MEP

@CristianTerhes

2 years

Good job @ashleighfurlong , @SarahAnneAarup , @SamuelHorti ! Keep up the good work. We should discuss your findings in the @Europarl_EN COVID Commitee.

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

3 years

Pfizer and Moderna's non-participation in the hub is in effect "condemning thousands" said @HAImedicines ' Jaume Vidal. @MSF_access 's Alain Alsalhani says that for pharma companies, it's easier to do these deals bilaterally so they can "hold complete control over everything."

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Recently sat down with @ABC 's @JamesAALongman to talk about vaccine hesitancy, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe.

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

@SamuelHorti @SarahAnneAarup Industry had extensive access to senior officials in EU & UK. Tens of millions were spent on lobbying EU during pandemic & an army of external lobbyists worked on behalf of Big Pharma. Many meetings weren't about waiver but some occurred at key moments. 3/

Who killed the COVID vaccine waiver?

The inside story of how lobbying, threats and the desire to protect industry gutted a proposal that was meant to make vaccines widely available in poorer countries.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Europe's refusal to share COVID-19 vaccine technology threatens to overshadow a major gathering of European and African leaders this week. POLITICO has seen draft proposals from EU & AU and it's clear AU isn't going to let EU ignore call for an IP waiver.

Vaccine access puts EU and Africa at odds ahead of summit

Europe pitches broad health alliance, while ignoring Africa’s call to waive vaccine patents.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Story on the compromise on a TRIPS waiver for coronavirus vaccines is now free to read. It's also updated with additional detail on remuneration and the use of regulatory data. IP nerds - Hit me up with your insights. DMs open.

Compromise reached on COVID-19 vaccine intellectual property rights waiver

After deadlock lasting 18 months, an agreement could be on the horizon.

www.politico.eu

Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

SCOOP: There's a TRIPS waiver compromise. It's been reached between EU, SA, India & US and currently only covers vaccines. Caveat: It still needs approval from EU countries and rest of WTO members. But it's BIG news. 🧵on what's in the text: 1/5

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

WTO will today formally present TRIPS waiver text to wider membership. That's despite only EU publically endorsing text. At informal TRIPS Council, attended by WTO DG Okonjo-Iweala, the chair said text will be discussed at Friday's TRIPS Council meeting.

WTO presents COVID vaccine IP waiver text to wider membership

3 May 2022 - Pro Alert - By Ashleigh Furlong

api.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

5 years

My piece on AI in the NHS is now also available for non-subscribers to read. On the power of AI to completely revolutionize health care @d_spiegel told me: “I really worry that politicians just believe all this puff."

POLITICOEurope

@POLITICOEurope

5 years

The challenge for the NHS is that it has been attempting to improve its IT systems for years with little success

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

1 year

Brussels folks are no strangers to a competency spat but it seems like Geneva has its own one — on IP in the #PandemicTreaty . Speaking during discussions today, US said: "The WHO is not the appropriate venue for discussions about the TRIPS agreement that belong in the WTO."

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Why the WTO’s vaccine deal is a nothingburger for global health: The endless #TRIPSwaiver saga has led to a deal at #MC12 that may save the WTO's reputation. But experts, campaigners & pharma agree it's not going to lead to more vaccines. 1/3

Why the WTO’s vaccine IP waiver deal is a nothingburger for global health

17 Jun 2022 - Pro Article - By Ashleigh Furlong

api.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Ramaphosa not holding back on call for waiver despite presence of EU leaders two meters away: While we appreciate the donations... they are not sustainable, help to empower us.

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

3 years

Back at my desk after the most lovely break in sunny Croatia. Ready to tackle what's going to be a busy couple of months for health policy, kicking off with TRIPS waiver discussions tomorrow. Bonus pics of where I want to be right now!

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

1 year

Lancet's Richard Horton has penned an eviscerating takedown of WHO's refusal to make space for other voices in the pandemic prep race. "Pandemic prep had become a fight for control...WHO seems to be acutely fearful of losing its commanding influence."

Offline: ACT-A—ça suffit

The Access To COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) was the largest and most ambitious global effort to ensure equitable availability for anti-SARS-CoV-2 technologies—vaccines, treatments, and diagnos...

www.thelancet.com

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Interesting story from @pretpat . Also fits into the broader issue of contract transparency — an issue MEPs in Brussels have pushed the Commission on with regards to vaccine contracts. Likely to be topic of discussion in newly formed special COVID committee chaired by @kvanbrempt .

Geneva Health Files

@FilesGeneva

2 years

Exclusive: @Pfizer Allegedly Pressured @UNICEF to Keep Secret, Pricing for Anti-Viral Treatment Paxlovid. UNICEF Yielded. Geneva Health Files Newsletter Edition #133 [News Flash] via @pretpat

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Tomorrow at #POLITICOHealthCare summit I'll be interviewing WHO's ACT-A envoy Ayoade Alakija followed by a panel on how the EU can ensure the world is better prepared for the inevitable next health crisis. Will be joined by Gayle Smith, Fifa Rahman, Inma Vazquez, Martin Seychell.

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

4 years

The chances are that most coronavirus vaccines under development won’t work. But even if one succeeds, there's another hurdle: Producing and distributing billions of doses around the globe — a feat never attempted before. My latest for @POLITICOEurope :

Europe’s challenge of a lifetime: Manufacturing enough coronavirus vaccines

Vaccine developers are facing innumerable challenges as they risk millions on future manufacturing plans.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Countries wary of further concessions on IP for COVID-19 products continue to look to Big Pharma for answers as they negotiate expansion of TRIPS waiver. This week, Switzerland, EU, Japan, Mexico & others, met MSD, Pfizer, Cytiva, Novartis & Merck.

Countries look to Big Pharma as debate on vaccine IP deal expansion goes down to the wire

18 Nov 2022 - Pro Article - By Ashleigh Furlong

api.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

3 years

Over the last couple of weeks I've been looking into how the pandemic has affected end of life care. The short answer: It's been devastating for those dying, their loved ones and hospice staff. The full story here:

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

1 year

Michel Kazatchkine, former head of Global Fund, says "this year is the critical year of opportunity for political leaders to take decisions to prevent another deadly and costly pandemic from happening again" at Pandemic Action Network & Spark Street Advisors event today at #WHA76

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

11 months

Did Tedros just say pharma is peddling lies re the pandemic treaty?? 🤯 Tedros: "Groups with vested interests" claim treaty is "power grab" & will stymie R&D. "Those who peddle lies" endanger health of future generations. (R&D line is made by pharma over parts of treaty draft)

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Big news from Moderna: Promise to share vax tech & never enforce COVID-19 patents. @stephane_bancel told me Moderna wants to ensure we have “tools to provide the world with a much better response if God forbid something happens again." But big caveats🧵1/5

Moderna to share vaccine tech, commits to never enforce COVID-19 jab patents

Announcement follows news the US biotech will set up a $500M mRNA vaccine hub in Kenya.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Continual boosting won't halt the global pandemic but that's unlikely to be enough to convince wealthy countries to not pursue the strategy. I spoke to @ShabirMadh , @David_RMartinez , @SouthAfricanASP & @rjlessells about why it's an unsustainable approach.

The world won’t be able to boost its way out of the coronavirus pandemic

Israel and Chile move ahead with fourth doses as experts question sustainability of strategy.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

11 months

When HIV is a crime: As part of a special mini-series, we're looking at why the criminalization of HIV is damaging efforts to end AIDS. Incredibly proud of this podcast, masterfully produced by @cristinagzalez & recorded by @PASnowdon . Listen here👇

The last bastion of stigma: Criminalizing HIV transmission

Presented by Gilead.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

3 years

The pandemic is ripping through Central and Eastern Europe due to low vaccination rates in the region. We delved into why it's so hard to convince people to get vaccinated and what could be done to turn this around.

Trust deficit stalls vaccinations in Eastern Europe, driving new COVID surge

Vaccine hesitancy has proved difficult to dislodge amid deep mistrust and political uncertainty.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

1 year

EU advisor Peter Piot at #HERA1Year : "If we don't invest massively in distributed manufacturing for geopolitical and equity imperatives, we will have failed."

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

3 years

Join me today at the European Health Forum Gastein to hear from a stellar lineup including @JeremyFarrar , @laktarr001 , @IlonaKickbusch , @DrRHatchett , @obyezeks & @doritnitzan on EU’s role in a world that's better prepared. We will be talking HERA, COVAX, pandemic treaty and more.

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

1 year

It clearly ain't Big Pharma's week. A day after Brussels held its ground on an overhaul of the bloc’s pharma rules that will cut industry’s profits, the Commission proposed an EU-level mechanism for compulsory licensing in a crisis.

Brussels’ emergency drug patent override is another middle finger to Big Pharma

27 Apr 2023 - Pro Article - By Ashleigh Furlong

api.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

3 years

WHO's Bruce Aylward said today that EU’s counter-proposal to the IP waiver proposal at the WTO “doesn’t go far enough.” He said the proposal reinforces what's already available — voluntary and compulsory licensing — which "have not served us so far.”

WHO: EU IP waiver counter-proposal doesn’t go far enough

7 Jun 2021 - Pro Alert - By Ashleigh Furlong

api.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

3 years

Surprise, surprise, countries haven't reached a compromise on the TRIPS waiver and will be continuing discussions right up to MC12 which is in just 12 days. It's down to the wire now.

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

5 years

I’m delighted to announce that I will be joining @POLITICOEurope as UK health care reporter next month, but very sad to be leaving the wonderful team @ResFortnight . Wishing @hcollis all the best for her maternity leave!

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

8 months

Dengue has arrived in Europe. The logical assumption? That's good news for countries that for years have battled the deadly disease, as the bigger market will mean there will be R&D into dengue. But that logic is fatally flawed, experts told POLITICO.

Why dengue in Europe could spell disaster for the rest of the world

Increased investment into previously neglected diseases could see poorer countries left behind.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

4 years

Grateful to activists who spoke to me about what lockdowns mean for sex workers' access to health care. Insight from Germany's @SexworkID , Poland's Sex Work Polska, the UK's @ProstitutesColl , Norway's @pionnorge , Hungary's SZEXE and Berlin's Trans*SexWorks

Out in the cold: Sex workers brace for second coronavirus lockdown

Sex workers in Europe, already in a uniquely vulnerable position, battle to access health services.

www.politico.eu

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

Sustainable financing under discussion at #WHA75 . Applause for Germany's Björn Kümmel, who has led the working group and has been credited with getting countries to the outcome proposal. The plan is to increase assessed contributions to 50% of base budget.

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Ashleigh Furlong

@ashleighfurlong

2 years

ICYMI: We've seen the TRIPS waiver compromise on vaccine patents between European Commission, SA, US and India. The text, agreed by diplomats, still needs approval from member countries but it's a hugely significant step with concessions from all sides.

Compromise reached on COVID-19 vaccine intellectual property rights waiver

After deadlock lasting 18 months, an agreement could be on the horizon.

www.politico.eu

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