Context
The United States government announced support for waiving intellectual property protection for Covid-19 vaccines, saying extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary measures. United States Trade Representative said the US will pursue “text-based negotiations” on the waiver at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Background
TRIPS Agreement
|
Analysis
The concept of intellectual property waiver for Covid-19 vaccines
What are the deterrents for the waiver?
Patents and IP Rights
Background of India’s Patent Right
|
Other roadblocks to scaling up production besides patents
US-backed vaccine patent waiver: pros and cons –
Conclusion
The global community began this year with the singular aim of ending the Covid-19 pandemic. This would only be possible if more and more people all over the world are vaccinated, and as quickly as possible. Given the enormous demand, the production of vaccines has to be increased manifold and followed by ensuring wider and equitable distribution. An IP waiver alone cannot accomplish such task. Increasing the production of vaccines and ensuring their equitable access would also require building the institutional capacity in several countries, overcoming systemic bottlenecks, and undertaking the necessary reforms in the administrative machinery and the legal framework. Nonetheless, a TRIPS waiver could be an important step in scaling up the production of the vaccines..
Verifying, please be patient.