Thread by @nickdearden75

‘Our current intellectual property model puts Big Pharma profits ahead of any consideration, including public health. It also impedes innovation.’ This morning we hear from Joe Stiglitz at #Rio2023 on why the current patent model is bad for nearly all of us.

‘You can see this during Covid, where Big Pharma put their own interests ahead of the lives and well being of literally hundreds of millions of people around the world, not to mention our economy’ Stiglitz at #Rio2023

‘The ability of countries to deal with #ClimateChange depends on access to technology. Currently, much technology is in the hands of richest countries. Way back, we said we’d need to share this technology. Rich countries have never delivered on this promise’ Stiglitz #Rio2023

‘Pharma told us “a TRIPS waiver wouldn’t make any difference, most countries can’t produce this stuff anyway.” Well, if that’s true, why are you opposing it so fiercely? Agree the waiver, no one would be able to use it. Of course they know that’s not true’ Stiglitz at #Rio2023

‘I disagree with those developing countries that haven’t supported Ukraine during Russia’s invasion. I think it’s short-sighted. But it’s understandable. Because when those countries needed Western help in Covid, they got nothing. There was no solidarity.’ Stiglitz at #Rio2023

‘I think countries now need to override patents, start producing medicines, and export them. We need a sort of civil disobedience by governments. The ability of the WTO to enforce these rules at the moment is limited. I encourage countries to defy them.’ Stiglitz at #Rio2023