Pat-INFORMED is the name of the most recent initiative which WIPO launched on 3 October 2017 in Geneva at the WIPO annual general meeting in cooperation with the research-based pharmaceutical industry.

According to the Media Release from the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) the Pat-INFORMED database will be made publicly available mid-2018. The aim of the database is to provide information primarily to procurement agencies concerning which medications are patented where, and where they are not. This information helps in the purchasing and selection of medicinal products. Initially, the database is limited to a few important medicinal products for the treatment of cancer, hepatitis C, HIV, diabetes, the cardiovascular and respiratory systems as well as all medicinal products on the WHO list of essential medicinal products.

This is a prime example of how the patent system can be implemented for direct benefit of public health.