#US Pharmaceutical Industry Dispatches Army of Lobbyists to Block Generic Covid Vaccines
The pharma industry has mobilized over 100 lobbyists to defeat the IP waiver request at the #WTO that would allow the production of generic covid vaccines.
GREED!!!
theintercept.com/2021/04/23/cov…
The pharma industry has mobilized over 100 lobbyists to defeat the IP waiver request at the #WTO that would allow the production of generic covid vaccines.
GREED!!!
theintercept.com/2021/04/23/cov…
2) Pharmaceutical lobbyists working against the proposal include Mike McKay, a key fundraiser for House Democrats, now working on retainer for Pfizer, as well as several former staff members to the U.S. Office of Trade Representative, which oversees negotiations with the WTO.
3) The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Business Roundtable, and the International Intellectual Property Alliance, which all receive drug company money, have dispatched dozens of lobbyists to oppose the initiative.
4) At a time when many thousands are dying everyday & much of the world is desperate to get vaccines, the production of generic vaccines would make a big difference, but NO, NO, CAN'T DO, it'll affect the profit sheet of a few pharma companies.
Shameless!!!
Shameless!!!
5) Only 1% of vaccines go to low-income countries & much of the world won't be vaccinated until 2023, 2024
In response, a coalition led by #India & #SouthAfrica, have petitioned the WTO to temporarily suspend IP rights on vaccines so that generic vaccines can be rapidly produced
In response, a coalition led by #India & #SouthAfrica, have petitioned the WTO to temporarily suspend IP rights on vaccines so that generic vaccines can be rapidly produced
6) The waiver requests a suspension of IP enforcement under the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights or TRIPS treaty.
If granted, local pharma plants could be granted compulsory licenses to produce coronavirus vaccines without being sued by the license holder.
If granted, local pharma plants could be granted compulsory licenses to produce coronavirus vaccines without being sued by the license holder.
7) The proposal has gained traction globally, with hundreds of members of the European Parliament, dozens of American lawmakers led by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and increasingly vocal voices in the public health community expressing support.
8) But the waiver petition has encountered fierce opposition from leading drug companies, who stand to lose profit and who fear that allowing a waiver would lead to less stringent IP enforcement in the future.
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