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| Covid-19 vaccine intellectual property waiver 'will not be enough' to address inequality, WTO chief warns | Covid-19 vaccine intellectual property waiver 'will not be enough' to address inequality, WTO chief warns |
| (about 2 months later) | |
| Waivers on intellectual property rights for Covid-19 vaccines alone are an insufficient way to address the inequality in jab distribution between rich and poorer nations, the head of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has said. | Waivers on intellectual property rights for Covid-19 vaccines alone are an insufficient way to address the inequality in jab distribution between rich and poorer nations, the head of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has said. |
| India and South Africa have officially requested that the WTO waive IP protections on vaccines to boost access for low-income countries, which have only received 17% of all global Covid jabs so far. | India and South Africa have officially requested that the WTO waive IP protections on vaccines to boost access for low-income countries, which have only received 17% of all global Covid jabs so far. |
| After initially blocking the plans, US President Joe Biden's administration signaled its support for the idea earlier this month, although the EU remains split over a vaccine patent waiver. | After initially blocking the plans, US President Joe Biden's administration signaled its support for the idea earlier this month, although the EU remains split over a vaccine patent waiver. |
| Speaking to members of the European Parliament on Thursday, WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said there were other ways of addressing vaccine inequality that also need to be considered. | Speaking to members of the European Parliament on Thursday, WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said there were other ways of addressing vaccine inequality that also need to be considered. |
| "I want to be very clear that getting the [intellectual property] waiver will not be enough," she told the parliament's Committee on International Trade. | "I want to be very clear that getting the [intellectual property] waiver will not be enough," she told the parliament's Committee on International Trade. |
| She said WTO members should also be reducing export restrictions as well as the transfer of technology and know-how, and focus on ramping-up global production capacity. | She said WTO members should also be reducing export restrictions as well as the transfer of technology and know-how, and focus on ramping-up global production capacity. |
| Manufacturers should also focus on mobilizing the "idle capacity" of some countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, Senegal and South Africa, and by commissioning available space and means for production. | Manufacturers should also focus on mobilizing the "idle capacity" of some countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, Senegal and South Africa, and by commissioning available space and means for production. |
| "I'm convinced that we can agree on a text that gives developing countries that kind of access and flexibility, whilst protecting research and innovation," she added. | "I'm convinced that we can agree on a text that gives developing countries that kind of access and flexibility, whilst protecting research and innovation," she added. |
| MEPs said in a statement on Wednesday that there is a "lack of consensus" in parliament on vaccine patent waivers. | MEPs said in a statement on Wednesday that there is a "lack of consensus" in parliament on vaccine patent waivers. |
| Some lawmakers viewed the plans as "essential" for a more equitable rollout of jabs, but others echoed concerns shared by some business people, that waivers "would harm innovation" and would not speed up vaccine access. | Some lawmakers viewed the plans as "essential" for a more equitable rollout of jabs, but others echoed concerns shared by some business people, that waivers "would harm innovation" and would not speed up vaccine access. |
| The EU will present its own alternative plan to the WTO in June, the bloc's Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said on Wednesday. | The EU will present its own alternative plan to the WTO in June, the bloc's Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said on Wednesday. |
| It includes upping capacity and allowing countries to grant licenses to vaccine manufacturers with or without the patent-owner's consent. | It includes upping capacity and allowing countries to grant licenses to vaccine manufacturers with or without the patent-owner's consent. |
| Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! | Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! |