Poor countries will copy corona vaccines: - A blind spot

[Lonelyloner]

When the World Trade Organization meets on Wednesday, rich countries are in a bitter conflict over access to the secrets of the corona vaccine.

• SVEN ARNE BUGGELAND

Published:

Updated December 16

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India and South Africa have proposed that patent protection for vaccines, medicines and medical devices be suspended, in order to combat the corona pandemic.

More than a hundred countries support the initiative . The USA, the EU and Norway are among those who say no.

- The government fears that such a proposal may work against its purpose, says Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide (H).

 

- A little past that period

Field doctor Erlend Grønningen in Doctors Without Borders strikes back:

- We are a little past the period in world history where rich countries tell the poor what are the right solutions, to cope with public health crises in their countries.

MINISTERS: Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide (H) and Minister for Development Aid Dag-Inge Ulstein (KrF). Photo: Gisle Oddstad

Revocation of patent rights may open up for mass production of generic medicines - cheaper copies with the same active ingredient as the original vaccine.

 

But the pharmaceutical giants doubt intellectual property rights that ensure that medicines they have spent billions on developing cannot be copied without further ado.

- No business opportunity

The WTO is divided before the meeting this week. On Wednesday, the Storting debates a demand from SV that the government change its position. Søreide has rejected this.

- I do not see that the far-reaching exceptions contained in the proposal could solve the challenges of the pandemic, says the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The government is afraid the proposal could lead to less research and development, if the protection of copyrights and opportunities to secure investments is weakened.

- Exactly that we have heard from the pharmaceutical industry for more than twenty years. The pandemic is a global public health crisis, no business opportunity, says Grønningen in Doctors Without Borders.

Rough simplification

He asks whether Norway will stand with the pharmaceutical industry or with the low- and middle-income countries - "for global justice".

 

- It is a rough simplification, says Secretary General of Norwegian Church Aid, former Minister of Health Dagfinn Høybråten to VG.

IMPATIENT: Secretary General of Norwegian Church Aid Dagfinn Høybråten thinks it will take too long to reach an agreement in the World Trade Organization WTO. Photo: Hallgeir Vågenes

He believes that the abolition of patent rights through the WTO will not contribute to a faster and fairer distribution of corona vaccines in the world.

- I do not disagree in principle with the proposal, but it is a blind spot. Reaching an agreement in the WTO will take far too long. And now every week counts, says Høybråten.

- Joints with low-income countries

Historically, decisions in the WTO are made by unanimity. The deep divisions surrounding the coronary vaccine mean that discussions will continue in 2021.

The Minister for Development Aid sees signs of a more real discussion between the proponents and other WTO members, which can provide a better factual basis for the new year.

- It is positive, seen through Norwegian eyes, says Dag-Inge Ulstein (KrF) to VG.

WORLD PHARMACY: India is one of the world's largest manufacturers of medicines. Coronation testing takes place here at a marketplace in New Delhi. Photo: Manish Swarup / AP

He rejects that Norway is on the side of the pharmaceutical giants against the poor countries.

 

- On the other hand, we are in cahoots precisely with low-income countries in the fight for a fair distribution of vaccines, says the KrF minister.

Precarious financing gap

He points out that Norway is a co-leader in the global initiative ACT-A, which is halfway to the goal of acquiring two billion vaccine doses against corona in 2021.

- We work around the clock to obtain financing, so that we can ensure that poor countries also have access and the opportunity to vaccinate their own population, Ulstein says.

At the same time, he expects vaccine manufacturers to do what they can to ensure optimal production, also through technology and knowledge transfer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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- The most precarious thing now is the financing gap. Fortunately, several of the companies have said that they will offer vaccines at cost price to low-income countries, Ulstein says.

Rich people hoard vaccines

The Greens in MSF believes that ACT-A is underfunded and will not secure enough corona vaccines and treatment for low- and middle-income countries.

Rich countries have hoarded six billion vaccine doses, to the displeasure of poor countries.

- The countries that have been involved in pushing forward the vaccine by placing large orders, have to share the orders they have inside, Høybråten believes.

He also believes that high-income countries must pressure the pharmaceutical industry to produce vaccine doses at an affordable price.

[Piracy Raja]

free gaa 10geyali ani decide ayyaru anamata 

[narsy]

lol. assholes.

[narsy]

just fcuking copy and challenge their actions later. 

they need the world market to survive too. 

[narsy]

lets see if modi is ballsy enough to ask all indian pharmas to freely copy and make the vaccines at the cheapest possible price.

[phatposts]

11 minutes ago, narsy said:

lets see if modi is ballsy enough to ask all indian pharmas to freely copy and make the vaccines at the cheapest possible price.

he will do that only if ambani is in the pharma world

[narsy]

2 minutes ago, phatposts said:

he will do that only if ambani is in the pharma world

may be its time for ambani to move  pharma if he can provide the vaccine at dirt cheap prices.

[MagaMaharaju]

There shouldn't be a patent for this vaccine

It's time for the big heads to prove their generosity.

 

[MagaMaharaju]

Medtronic donated their Ventilator drawings to other manufacturers when there was shortage.

 

[Lonelyloner]

6 minutes ago, MagaMaharaju said:

There shouldn't be a patent for this vaccine

It's time for the big heads to prove their generosity.

 

Agree

They are being cautious 

 

[nokia123]

9 minutes ago, narsy said:

may be its time for ambani to move  pharma if he can provide the vaccine at dirt cheap prices.

Then he will say -vaccine is free, we will charge only for syringe 

[PilliBeta]

This is actually a good topic to discuss. I think all countries in theory will accept the idea. 

[PilliBeta]

Moderna waived it's IP 

https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/leading-vaccine-player-moderna-won-t-enforce-patents-against-other-companies-during-pandemic