Public-private health partnerships: a strategy for WHO

Following early success with a number of high-profile partnerships, WHO is increasingly working with the private for-profit sector. In so doing, the o rganization finds itself in the maelstrom of a vibrant debate on the roles of public, civic, and commercial entities in society and on the appropriate modes of interaction among them. This paper examines WHO's involvement wit h the commercial sector, particularly in partnerships. WHO's approach to th is sector is outlined and the criticisms levelled at public-private partner ships are reviewed. An indication is given of the steps recently taken by W HO to confront the concerns that have been expressed. The paper argues that partnership between WHO and the commercial sector is inevitable and that i t presents considerable opportunities, but also significant risks, for the organization and for public health. A strategy is proposed for directing th e debate on issues critical to WHO and its role in the promotion and protec tion of public health.