The EU, South Africa, India and the U.S. have reached a compromise in long-running negotiations on a waiver on intellectual property rights for coronavirus products, according to a document seen by POLITICO. 

Supporters of a waiver argue that it would have led to a significant increase in the production of coronavirus products during the pandemic and could have saved many lives. It would, in effect, have freed up producers to replicate coronavirus vaccines, tests and diagnostics without fear of infringing on pharmaceutical companies’ patents. Until the end of last year, coronavirus vaccines were in short supply, with many poorer countries, particularly in Africa, having almost no access to vaccines.

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Is this breaking news or is it ‘too little too late’?

Progressive International: “But this is not enough. The proposal does not force a transfer of technology — from big pharmaceutical companies to small manufacturers around the world — a critical step to facilitate and democratize production. It is limited to vaccines and does not include tests and treatments in its scope. Furthermore, it sets unnecessary limits on which countries are eligible.

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That is why our Union for Vaccine Internationalism is organising to build a truly global bloc — that can put public health first — based on solidarity, not charity.”