A/63/263 detailed discussion is in A/HRC/4/28 (section III). There are also administrative forms of accountability, such as health impact assessments, explored in A/62/214 (section III). The Special Rapporteur’s reports on the skills drain (A/60/348, paras. 66-72 and 86-88), the Millennium Development Goals (A/59/422, paras. 36-41), and health systems (A/HRC/7/11 and Corr.1, paras. 65 and 99-106) have also addressed accountability. Further, the Special Rapporteur’s country reports have frequently addressed accountability mechanisms, for example, in relation to Uganda (E/CN.4/2006/48/Add.2, paras. 86-93), Romania (E/CN.4/2005/51/Add.4, paras. 26-27) and Sweden (A/HRC/4/28/Add.2, paras. 31-33 and 122-123). The Human Rights Guidelines for Pharmaceutical Companies in Relation to Access to Medicines (see annex to the present report) also look at the critical issue of accountability of pharmaceutical companies. 17. On the whole, however, the human rights literature devotes surprisingly little attention to accountability — and there is even less written about accountability and the right to the highest attainable standard of health. Thus, a recent study by Helen Potts, Accountability and the Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health 3 (see www2.essex.ac.uk/human_rights_centre/rth) is very timely. This practical study introduces the right to the highest attainable standard of health; describes the process of accountability (which includes monitoring, holding to account, and redress); provides examples of various accountability mechanisms that are available at the national, regional and international levels; describes the types of remedies that should be available to rights-holders; provides examples of accountability in action; and provides a list of key factors required for accountability in the context of the right to the highest attainable standard of health. 18. The study is a valuable information resource for all those committed to health and human rights, including policymakers and advocates. It will help Governments to fulfil their right-to-health obligations and assist those seeking to hold Governments to account. The Special Rapporteur hopes that this useful study will generate more research and publications, as well as a deeper appreciation of the crucial role of accountability and the right to the highest attainable standard of health. IV. The human rights responsibilities of pharmaceutical companies in relation to access to medicines 19. States have primary responsibility for enhancing access to medicines. Between 2002 and 2008, the Special Rapporteur regularly scrutinized States’ duties in relation to access to medicines. These duties are the main focus of chapter III.A of his report to the General Assembly at its sixty-first session (A/61/338). They are also a key theme recurring throughout several of his country missions and reports, such as those regarding Peru (E/CN.4/2005/51/Add.3) and Uganda (E/CN.4/2006/48/Add.2). Another report looks at States’ duties in relation to access to medicines and the World Trade Organization (E/CN.4/2004/49/Add.1). Some of his press statements have focused on States’ duties in relation to access to medicines, for example, the press remarks of 5 July 2004 and 13 July 2005. In __________________ 3 6 University of Essex, 2008, funded by the Open Society Institute. 08-45647