Following the United States, France has also expressed its support for the suspension of patent rights that developing countries are seeking to secure a vaccine for the new coronavirus.
On the other hand, opinions are divided, such as Germany, which has a vaccine manufacturing base, expressing the opposite idea, and there is no way to realize it.
The discussion on patent rights for vaccines is being held at the WTO = World Trade Organization, and is supported by many developing countries by proposing a temporary suspension of patent rights so that South Africa and India can produce freely. , Developed countries with pharmaceutical companies have taken a reluctant position.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who was cautious about this, said on the 6th, "I am in great agreement. The vaccine must be used for the people of the world." Turned to.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the German government, which owns vaccine manufacturing bases and developers, once again opposed that "protection of patent rights is a source of technological innovation and must continue to be so," and the United Kingdom is also cautious. Continues.
WTO Secretary-General Ngozi Okonjoi Wara called on member states to aim for immediate realization on the 6th, saying, "The world is paying attention and many people are dying. We should take urgent action."
However, the opinions of developed countries are divided, and there is no clear path toward the realization of a suspension of patent rights.