The agreement on pathogen access and benefit sharing is pathbreaking.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has agreed on measures to prevent, prepare for, and respond to pandemics after nearly three-and-a-half years and 13 rounds of meetings.

• The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body finalized a proposal for the WHO Pandemic Agreement on April 16, which is ready for adoption by the World Health Assembly next month.

• The agreement is a “generational accord to make the world safer” and is more limited in scope than the first proposed one.

• Developed countries have not committed to sharing diagnostics, treatments, vaccines, and technology transfers, while developing countries hesitate to share pathogen samples and genome sequences without assured access.

• The agreement includes a commitment to protect healthcare workers better and a pathogen access and benefit sharing system.

• Pharmaceutical companies have committed to donate 10% of their production to WHO and offer up to another 10% at affordable prices.

• The treaty emphasizes the promotion of equitable access to health products and the exchange of technology and know-how for developing countries to make their own vaccines.