In two years, biopharmaceutical companies have gone from zero to the $ 13 billion COVID-13 vaccine produced. They have worked across the industry and on every continent to meet the global need for COVID-19 renaming. However, world trade officials will convene a World Trade Organization (WTO) summit in June to discuss how to allow countries to seize intellectual property (IP) rights to the epidemic-related products as part of the WTO’s Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual. Property Rights Agreement (TRIPS) Here are three reasons why it is unbelievable to focus on IP bans, and where policymakers should focus efforts instead.
We have more than enough vaccine
There are more than enough COVID-19 vaccines to meet the demand, with 13.7 billion doses produced so far and an estimated capacity of 20 billion by the end of this year. When IP advocacy advocates initially proposed the abolition of TRIPS, they noted the need to speed up production. However, meeting the global demand for the vaccine COVID-19 occurs without the promotion of IP rights. We now see developing countries begging to stop donations, some countries squandering capacity due to low demand, and the South African COVID-19 vaccine risking closure due to a lack of orders.
Strong IP protection
The strong US IP ecosystem helped transform COVID-19 targets and treatments from a vision to something new that was important to patients – a redesign that is still being researched and developed today. And strong IP protection, voluntary technology transfer and collaboration have taken us to a point where we can vaccinate globally with COVID-19, as well as other innovations such as treatment and testing. Promoting this program will halt some amazing progress and leave us unprepared for the next epidemic.
Leaders must face real challenges
Global leaders should focus on the real challenges of distributing and providing COVID-19 vaccines to people around the world, such as last-minute distribution, supply chain issues and low demand. Real challenges regarding distribution, not supply, have been accepted by world leaders for months. Jeff Zients, former White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, recently said, “Vaccination is no longer a barrier to getting guns in the hands of the world.” UNICEF head of advocacy, Lily Caprani, said the withdrawal of IP was “almost unnecessary and insufficient” to address the remaining vaccination barriers, including distribution, volume of health care and vaccination doubts. Recent commitments to the 2nd COVID-19 conference have focused on distribution and infrastructure. Instead of working to undermine IP, the WTO should focus on a strong trade and health system that strengthens the international trade system based on the rules in response to COVID-19 and future health problems.
Attempts to undo IP obligations have been seen as unnecessary and could be detrimental to our collective work to end this epidemic and continue to establish the next global health challenge. Leaders from nations and organizations around the world have recognized that the provision of the COVID-19 vaccine is not a barrier to access. So, why do officials enjoy a withdrawal that will do nothing but improve the very new system of creation responsible for current and future progress?
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