Read on Twitter
The US support for a TRIPS vaccine waiver looks good on paper. But remember:
1) This is the same US department that monitors and punishes every attempt to expand access to drugs in the global south.
2.) By their own admission, a consensus at the WTO is both unlikely... (1/5)
1) This is the same US department that monitors and punishes every attempt to expand access to drugs in the global south.
2.) By their own admission, a consensus at the WTO is both unlikely... (1/5)
... and at least months away.
3.) Even if the waiver goes through, it will mean absolutely nothing if there is no technology transfer with it.
There is no reason to believe that this will even be up for WTO negotiations. (2/5)
3.) Even if the waiver goes through, it will mean absolutely nothing if there is no technology transfer with it.
There is no reason to believe that this will even be up for WTO negotiations. (2/5)
In sum:
What we need is an enforceable resolution to enforce corporations to transfer technical know-how NOW. (3/5)
We cannot sit and wait for the decency of a few rich countries and corporations to 'waive' their monopoly of technical knowledge. (4/5)
What we need is an enforceable resolution to enforce corporations to transfer technical know-how NOW. (3/5)
We cannot sit and wait for the decency of a few rich countries and corporations to 'waive' their monopoly of technical knowledge. (4/5)
They showed no such compassion or goodwill during the HIV-AIDS crisis that cost millions of lives.
Let us not be fooled again into thinking that the global north will willingly share the knowledge behind their patents, in the absence of which this is a hollow victory. (5/5)
Let us not be fooled again into thinking that the global north will willingly share the knowledge behind their patents, in the absence of which this is a hollow victory. (5/5)
And if anyone still thinks Pharma CEOs won't fight this tooth and nail, here's an excerpt from an interview early on in the pandemic. Pfizer CEO - 'It is dangerous to talk about taking away your IP'. They live in a world where 'danger' is a loss of profits, not the loss of life.
Update: As expected, the WTO meeting essentially postpones even thinking about voting on vaccine access till December. Which means in the most optimistic scenario, the effects of a vote approving the waiver (which is very unlikely) won't be felt till at least the end of 2022!
In which world is this an acceptable response to a crisis? How is it defensible to set a time frame for 'text-based discussions' that will run parallel to at least two million deaths?
