India and South Africa have presented a draft proposal to the World Trade Organization (WTO)
Context
India and South Africa have presented a draft proposal to the World Trade Organization (WTO) for waiver of some provisions of its TRIPS Agreement on intellectual property (IP) protection to fight the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic; it might be a good move, but begs a few questions.
Background
Analysis
What is in the Joint Submission?
What is the need of waiver?
TRIPS Agreement
WTO members & compulsion
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Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement
Conclusion
India will have to do some hard-nosed diplomacy here to swing the proposal its way. If accepted, this proposal will be historic and enable countries to access Covid medicines and vaccines easily, as and when they are available.
Verifying, please be patient.