Swiss not swayed by US vaccine waiver announcement
US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, at the WTO on April 28 last. 2021 Getty Images
Switzerland has reacted cautiously to the US decision to back a suspension of patents on Covid-19 vaccines, saying a waiver is not the best way to achieve better global supply.
This content was published on May 6, 2021 - 18:52
May 6, 2021 - 18:52
Jessica Davis Plüss
Jessica covers the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to big global companies and their impact in Switzerland and abroad. She’s always looking for a Swiss connection with her native San Francisco and will happily discuss why her hometown has produced some of the greatest innovations but can’t seem to solve its housing crisis.
It s Time For Big Pharma To Waive Their Patents On COVID-19 Vaccines forbes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from forbes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
More Countries Back Waiving Patent Protections for COVID Vaccines, But Hurdles Remain The move to support waiving intellectual property protections on vaccines under WTO rules drew cheers from activists, complaints from Big Pharma, and a lot of questions about what comes next By Jamey Keaten •
Updated on May 6, 2021 at 12:37 pm
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France joined the United States on Thursday in supporting an easing of patent and other protections on COVID-19 vaccines that could help poorer countries get more doses and speed the end of the pandemic. While the backing from two countries with major drug makers is important, many obstacles remain.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he was “absolutely in favor” of joining a U.S.-backed proposal.
The Biden administration also said it needs to persuade other countries that it should lead the effort in creating a unified vaccine, admitting the negotiations at the WTO and World Health Organization requires patience.
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said on Wednesday that “this is a global health crisis and the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic call for extraordinary measures,” The Guardian reported.
Although some people say the waiver decision would be necessary to increase global production of the vaccine, critics within the industry say it cripples financial opportunities and lowers competition to make the best products available.