New drug research models

The blog Intellectual Property Watch has a good summary of a recent EU workshop on drug research - EU Hears Views On Policies For Addressing Neglected Diseases:

Among the speakers at the workshop were representatives of the pharmaceutical industry, WHO, nongovernmental organisations, and public-private partnerships (PPPs). A number of sources welcomed the opportunity to hear the concerns of the players and the issues at stake, although some were criticised for not tying their talks enough to the IGWG discussions. Most of the member states left the discussion to the speakers.
The debate centred on pros and cons for PPPs and alternatives such as a prize fund that could finance research and development instead of patents, as well as to what extent intellectual property should be part of the discussion.

I'm glad that alternative ideas are being looked at, but the summary sounded like the parties are still talking past each other. Frankly, I would like to see more action on these ideas rather than more debate. There are good signs about the expanding number of research prizes. But much more needs to be done.