Washington – The US has thrown its support behind a move at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to temporarily lift patent protection for coronavirus vaccines.
India and South Africa proposed the plan, which they said would increase vaccine production around the world.
But drug manufacturers argue it may not have the desired effect.
US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said that “extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures”.
And she warned that it would take time to reach an agreement on the matter.
One hundred members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) are said to be in favour, and a panel on intellectual property is expected to discuss the issue next month.
Intellectual property means creations, such as inventions, which are protected by patents, copyrights and trademarks – allowing the originator to be financially rewarded.
If the waiver is approved, it would allow production of vaccines to be ramped up and provide more affordable doses for less wealthy countries.
Many developing countries have argued that rules requiring countries to protect patents and other forms of intellectual property are an obstacle to increasing the production of vaccines and other products needed to tackle the pandemic.
The US had previously helped block WTO negotiations about the waiver proposal led by India and South Africa aimed at helping developing countries to produce vaccines using the intellectual property of pharmaceutical companies.
