India and SA seek 3-year Covid vax, technology patent waiver

India and SA seek 3-year Covid vax, technology patent waiver

Sidhartha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:23.05.2021

India and South Africa, along with several poor and developing countries from Africa and Latin America, have proposed a three-year patent waiver for Covid-19-related health products and technologies, including drugs and vaccines, along with “their material or components and their methods and means to manufacture”.

The submission made on Friday goes beyond drugs and vaccines to include diagnostics, therapeutics, medical devices and personal protective equipment with the coverage proposed to include “the prevention, treatment or containment of Covid-19”.

Trade experts said that the proposal — which will form the basis for negotiations — has clearly provided a window for technology and know-how sharing, which is a major concern with suggestions that patent waiver alone will not result in production of vaccines or drugs.

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TRIPS waiver: Beijing seen to be coming out in favour of proposal

Besides, by including material and components, the idea is to ensure that there is access to the entire value chain.

While India and South Africa were the original proponents of waiver of Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), which also includes relaxations in rules related to copyrights and designs, they now claim the support of over 120 countries, including Pakistan and Indonesia.

China is seen to be coming out in support of the proposal and the government is trying to get Brazil on board.

Separately, the United States, which recently announced its support to negotiations for a waiver for vaccines, has also reached out to countries such as Japan and Switzerland with the European Union too willing to engage in discussions.

Full report on www.toi.in