RT Journal
A1 Fidler DP, Gostin LO
T1 The who pandemic influenza preparedness framework: A milestone in global governance for health
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2011
FD July 13
VO 306
IS 2
SP 200
OP 201
DO 10.1001/jama.2011.960
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2011.960
AB 
During the avian influenza A(H5N1) outbreaks in late 2006, Indonesia refused to share virus specimens with WHO, claiming it was unfair to give pharmaceutical companies access. Industry would use viruses to patent vaccines and antiviral medications that Indonesia could not afford. Indonesia asserted sovereignty over viruses isolated within its territory, grounded on the Convention on Biological Diversity. Indonesia also argued that the 2005 International Health Regulations did not require states to share H5N1 viruses.2 The international community feared that Indonesia's refusal to share would impede surveillance and response, particularly because Asia was the epicenter of the global H5N1 outbreak.3 Serious health and political repercussions could result if states failed to cooperate when confronting a common threat.