The United States supports the lifting of intellectual property protections for vaccines against Covid-19, in order to accelerate the production and distribution of precious serums around the world, the Biden administration announced on Wednesday (May 5).
"This is a global health crisis, and the extraordinary circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic call for extraordinary measures," US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in a statement.
"The administration strongly believes in intellectual property protections, but to put an end to this pandemic, it supports the lifting of these protections for vaccines against Covid-19", she added, adding that Washington was participating " actively "in the negotiations at the WTO to allow the lifting of these patents.
WHO boss Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed Washington's decision.
"I congratulate the United States on this historic decision in favor of vaccine equity, prioritizing the well-being of all everywhere at this crucial time. Now, let's all move forward quickly, in solidarity, to build on ingenuity and the commitment of the scientists who produced the life-saving COVID19 vaccines, ”he tweeted.
France pleads for donations
The temporary lifting of patents on vaccines is notably demanded by India and South Africa to be able to speed up production, but certain countries, including France, are opposed to it.
Paris rather pleads for donations in favor of poor countries.
The powerful pharmaceutical companies, meanwhile, are generally opposed to the suspension of their patents, arguing that it deters expensive research.
The International Federation of the Pharmaceutical Industry (IFPMA) was quick to react on Wednesday, calling the US decision "disappointing". "We are fully aligned with the goal that anti-Covid 19 vaccines are quickly and equitably shared around the world. But as we keep saying, a suspension is the simple but false answer to a complex problem. "Says a press release from the pharmaceutical lobby.
In this context, Katherine Tai acknowledges that negotiations at the World Trade Organization "will take time, given the consensual nature of the institution and the complexity of the issues at stake".
"The goal (...) is to provide the most safe and effective vaccines to the largest number of people as quickly as possible," insisted Katherine Tai, while the pandemic is raging in particular in India.
"The administration will continue to intensify its efforts, in collaboration with the private sector and all potential partners, to expand the manufacture and distribution of vaccines," the ambassador also commented.
With AFP
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