Facilitating generic production of corona drugs…
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Geneva – A deadline from the World Trade Organization (WTO) to facilitate the production of corona drugs in poorer countries passed without result. The 164 member countries want to decide by December 17 whether patent protections that they have allowed for corona vaccines should also be extended to medicines and tests. A corresponding decision failed due to the resistance of the richer countries with the pharmaceutical industry. The deadline has been extended indefinitely.
The US had argued that the government needed more time to consider whether such a decision would actually improve the supply of poorer countries with drugs against COVID-19. Aid organizations rejected this as an unfounded delaying tactic. There was also resistance in the EU, Switzerland and Great Britain. Because WTO countries must close unanimously, the area failed before the December 17 deadline.
Certain patent protections for corona vaccines have been relaxed since June. More than 100 countries had been fighting for this for months. However, their proposal was watered down so much to quell opposition that the result did little to boost generic vaccine production. “As far as we know, not a single country has started production as a result of the decision,” says Piotr Kolczynski from the development organization Oxfam.
Some production hurdles have been cleared, such as export restrictions for generic manufacturers. However, since no technology transfer was agreed, potential new manufacturers would not have the necessary knowledge for production. But it is different with corona drugs and tests, says Kolczynski. The production is, even without further knowledge.
According to the Alliance People’s Vaccine 84 percent of the world’s population live in low- and middle-income countries, but only every 50th corona test is carried out there. Only a fraction of the production of corona drugs such as Paxlovid or Molnupiravir arrived in Armenian countries.
The Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry IFPMA says companies are involved that promote production in poorer countries themselves with voluntary licenses. They also offered to make part of their production available in poorer countries at a low price in the future.
Printed by the Deutsches Ärzteblatt
aerzteblatt.de
Rich countries fear that relaxing patent protection would mean a breach of the dam and could arouse greed in the future, diplomats in Geneva say. Patent protection – and the associated profit prospects – are necessary as incentives for pharmaceutical companies to work on innovations.
“Each additional day of delay will ensure that a greater proportion of serious COVID-19 illnesses and deaths and economic losses occur in developing countries,” said Oxfam’s Max Lawson. “That should prevent rich-country politicians and negotiators who have the deadline agreement on their conscience.” © dpa/ärzteblatt.de