STAT+: Why a controversial patent rights waiver could be a ‘missed opportunity’ to tackle the next pandemic
After 18 months, the fate of a contentious proposal before the World Trade Organization to temporarily waive patent rights for Covid-19 medical products still remains uncertain. The effort was initiated by South Africa and India to widen access to poor countries after wealthy nations quickly locked in supplies for vaccines when the pandemic began more than two years ago. But the pharmaceutical industry has continually balked at the provisions. India and South Africa recently reached a compromise with the U.S., which backs a waiver only for vaccines, and with the European Union.
But the latest version, which was released last week, has angered many public health advocates, who argue the language would actually accomplish little. Whether agreement can be reached by mid-June, when the WTO Ministerial Conference takes place, is unclear.
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