Option
CONTRIBUTION IN ORIGINAL LANGUAGE
In response to calls for a repeal of TRIPS (Trade Related Intellectual Property Rules) for COVID-19 vaccines, which are supported by more than 100 mostly developing countries and are again blocked by rich countries in World Trade Organization talks, Oxfam's Health Policy Manager said , Anna Marriott:
“This is a missed opportunity to accelerate and increase the production of life-saving vaccines worldwide by removing the intellectual property barriers that prevent more skilled manufacturers from joining the effort.
“The rich countries are vaccinating at the rate of one person per second, but are teaming up with a handful of drug companies to protect their monopolies from the needs of the majority of developing countries who have difficulty administering a single dose.
“It is unforgivable that while people are literally fighting for breath, the governments of rich countries continue to block what could be a crucial breakthrough in ending this pandemic for everyone in rich and poor countries.
“During a pandemic that is wreaking havoc on lives around the world, governments should use their powers now, not tomorrow, to repeal intellectual property rules and ensure that pharmaceutical companies work together to share technology and address raw material shortages that are everyone in the world are facing a massive increase in production. "
Photo / Video: Shutterstock.
Good idea - but we already had this discussion ...
None of the existing factories in these states would be able to be brought up to date in the required time to produce these vaccines safely.