Human Rights Council

UNGPs in the context of the pharmaceutical industry…

UNGPs in the context of the pharmaceutical industry - Forum on Business and Human Rights 2023

Production Date
Video Length
01:21:54
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Summary
Day 3 (Room XXVI) - Implementation of the UNGPs in the context of the pharmaceutical industry - 12th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights 27 - 29 November 2023
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Description
Brief description of the session: 
  • The pharmaceutical industry plays a pivotal role in ensuring access to the fundamental right to health for individuals worldwide. It is responsible for researching, developing, and manufacturing life-saving medications and vaccines that are crucial for maintaining public health. However, to fulfil this role effectively, the industry must incorporate a human rights perspective, including human rights due diligence, at the core of its activities.
  • This session will consider the role of the pharmaceutical industry in access to the right to health and how each stakeholder plays a crucial role in ensuring the effective implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGPs) and promoting respect for human rights in business operations. The session will provide an opportunity to share challenges, good practices, lessons learned, and to discuss the mechanisms needed to address worldwide health crises. It will specifically explore the main lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic regarding equitable vaccine distribution, price speculation by pharmaceutical businesses, labour rights, support and innovation, and the critical role that pharmaceutical companies play in conducting business responsibly, as well as the States in regulating adequately the pharmaceutical industry.
Key objectives of the session: 
  • Discuss the pharmaceutical industry's role in ensuring access to the fundamental right to health and explore the industry's responsibilities.
  • Discuss how to best implement responsible business conduct in the pharmaceutical sector as a cornerstone component of their operations.
  • Analyse what potential positive outcomes could the implementation of human rights due diligence in the pharmaceutical industry bring about.
  • Discuss the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in ensuring the effective implementation of the UNGPs within the pharmaceutical industry.
  • Extract actionable insights from these lessons for future global health crises through identifying and analyzing key lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on vaccine distribution, safeguarding labor rights, and the pivotal role of pharmaceutical businesses.
  • Exchange knowledge, experiences, and insight to share successful mechanisms and best practices adopted during worldwide health crises.
Moderator:
  • Michael Addo
Speakers:
  • Janina Lukas
  • Kinda Mohamadieh
  • Suzanne Spears
  • Jan-Christian Niebank
  • Ivette Gonzalez
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