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Von der Leyen says EU ready to discuss Covid-19 vaccine patent waiver following US’ backing of proposal | Von der Leyen says EU ready to discuss Covid-19 vaccine patent waiver following US’ backing of proposal |
(about 1 month later) | |
The European Commission president has said Brussels is prepared to look at a proposal to scrap intellectual property rights for Covid-19 vaccines in an effort to accelerate global vaccinations against the virus. | The European Commission president has said Brussels is prepared to look at a proposal to scrap intellectual property rights for Covid-19 vaccines in an effort to accelerate global vaccinations against the virus. |
Speaking on Thursday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU would be willing to look at proposals to waive Covid-19 vaccine patents after the US gave its backing to the plan on Wednesday. | Speaking on Thursday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU would be willing to look at proposals to waive Covid-19 vaccine patents after the US gave its backing to the plan on Wednesday. |
“The EU is also ready to discuss any proposals that addresses the crisis in an effective and pragmatic manner,” von der Leyen said in a speech to the European University Institute in Florence. | “The EU is also ready to discuss any proposals that addresses the crisis in an effective and pragmatic manner,” von der Leyen said in a speech to the European University Institute in Florence. |
“That’s why we are ready to discuss how the US proposal for a waiver on intellectual property protections for Covid-19 vaccines could help achieve that objective,” she added. | “That’s why we are ready to discuss how the US proposal for a waiver on intellectual property protections for Covid-19 vaccines could help achieve that objective,” she added. |
While the suggestion was originally made by South Africa and India at the World Trade Organization in October and garnered support from a number of developing countries, the US only gave its backing on Wednesday. | While the suggestion was originally made by South Africa and India at the World Trade Organization in October and garnered support from a number of developing countries, the US only gave its backing on Wednesday. |
The EU, along with the UK and Switzerland, which is home to a number of large pharmaceutical companies, had opposed such plans. | The EU, along with the UK and Switzerland, which is home to a number of large pharmaceutical companies, had opposed such plans. |
In April, the World Health Organization said that of the 700 million vaccines administered around the world, only 0.2% of them had been in low-income countries. The proposed plan aims to increase vaccine production, notably in less-developed nations, but would see pharmaceutical companies temporarily lose patents on their lifesaving shots. | In April, the World Health Organization said that of the 700 million vaccines administered around the world, only 0.2% of them had been in low-income countries. The proposed plan aims to increase vaccine production, notably in less-developed nations, but would see pharmaceutical companies temporarily lose patents on their lifesaving shots. |
When announcing Washington’s backing for the plan, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said that “extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.” | When announcing Washington’s backing for the plan, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said that “extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.” |
Like this story? Share it with a friend! | Like this story? Share it with a friend! |