By John Miller ZURICH (Reuters) - A World Trade Organization (WTO) council is meeting this week to discuss a proposal by India and South Africa that COVID-19 vaccine patents be suspended to speed up technology transfers to manufacturers with spare production capacity. The idea seems simple, but some experts say it s not so clear cut. Below we lay out the reasons. WHAT S BEING DISCUSSED? In October, India and South Africa proposed suspending provisions of the WTO s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (IP) Rights, or TRIPS, contending they hinder the COVID-19 fight and curb access to drugs. Some 100 nations have expressed support, as has Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and World Health Organization head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
A World Trade Organization (WTO) council is discussing a proposal by India and South Africa that COVID-19 vaccine and other medical patents be suspended to speed up technology transfers to manufacturers with spare production capacity.
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Rich nations vaccinating one person every second while majority of the poorest nations are yet to give a single dose
10 March 202110 March 202110 March 2021
US, UK and EU blocking proposals at WTO to help poorer countries get vaccines more quickly
US, UK and EU blocking proposals at WTO to help poorer countries get vaccines more quickly
One year on from the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the People’s Vaccine Alliance is warning that developing countries are facing critical shortages of oxygen and medical supplies to cope with COVID-19 cases yet the majority have been unable to administer a single dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. In contrast rich nations have vaccinated their citizens at a rate of one person per second over the last month.