USA US Analyzes Proposal to Release Covid Vaccine Patents – ; Proponents of the initiative argue that profits from pharmaceutical companies cannot be put above people
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Photo: PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP / Getty Images
Friday, November 15
They ask Biden to support the release of patents for vaccines against Covid-19
At the request of the Progressive Democrats to the Biden administration, from accelerate global access to Covid vaccines – supporting a waiver of protections of intellectual property , it transpired that the White House is considering it, according to information from Bloomberg.
A few days ago legislators represented by Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, asked President Joe Biden to endorse a proposal before the World Trade Organization (WTO) to seek a Broad exemption from obligations on the protection of intellectual property rights, including patents, copyrights and trade secrets of the Covid vaccine – .
The request aims to simplify regulations regarding the production and export of vaccines and other necessary critical medical products to combat the virus that has claimed the lives of more than three million people worldwide.
This proposal had already been presented in October and was blocked by the Trump administration . But legislators and allies to the initiative who in turn are backed by more than countries, argue that cannot be put above the interests and profits of the pharmaceutical companies to that of the people , because if the request is not specified the lives of many people will add to the death statistics caused by the pandemic .
For her part, Katherine Tai, United States trade representative, has indicated that things cannot remain as they are, although she has not committed to change or maintain the position of the country before the WTO.
A few days ago, the 13 in separate virtual meetings with drug manufacturers and groups seeking exemptions , Tai expressed that the the Biden administration would seek increase the production and distribution of vaccines .
The next day, at a WTO meeting, the official pointed out that inequality in access to vaccines is totally unacceptable and that the market has failed to meet the health needs of developing countries , so he asked participating nations to consider whether a change in group rules might be necessary.
The WTO is a consensus-based institution, so an objection from any member could stop any initiative. But supporters in favor of the exemption argue that the leadership of the United States could influence the decisions of the rest .
So far the countries that oppose the exemptions are United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Japan, Switzerland, Brazil and Norway. Obviously Big Pharma is in the same position .
With information from Bloomberg
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