Swine flu pandemic review panel seeks access to confidential documents between WHO and drug companies

The chairman of the external expert review committee examining the World Health Organization’s management of the H1N1 pandemic said the panel wants access to confidential documents between the agency and drug companies.

Harvey Fineberg, the head of the 29 member review committee, told reporters at the annual World Health Assembly, “We are aware we will want to have access to certain confidential documents that may be in place here at WHO, or elsewhere.”

Mr Fineberg, who is also president of the Institute of Medicine in Washington, added that, “Some of the agreements with industry that we would like to examine have been considered confidential.”

These documents include “contractual or letters of understanding with (the pharmaceutical) industry that have been considered private communications,” he said.

Dr Fineberg’s remarks …