A committee within the United Nations (UN) has called on wealthy nations, including Britain, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States, to waive the patents on coronavirus vaccines.&nbsp;

The antiracism committee argues that these patents violate a guarantee against racial discrimination.

<h2>Covid vaccines and patents</h2>

Previously, in June 2022, member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreed to allow developing nations to lift COVID-19 vaccine patents for a period of five years.&nbsp; However, subsequent talks on this matter have got nowhere.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/modernas-updated-covid-19-vaccine-effective-against-emerging-subvariants-eris-and-fornax-626552">Moderna's updated COVID-19 vaccine effective against emerging subvariants Eris and Fornax</a>

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which is a group of 18 independent human rights experts, has expressed dissatisfaction with the dated agreement.

The group of experts whose view are not binding said that the agreement has not done enough to address the disparities in vaccine access.

<h2>Vaccine disparity</h2>

According to the latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO), only 32 per cent of people around the globe have received at least one booster or additional vaccine dose.

It also states that in some developing countries such as Gabon, Papua New Guinea, Burundi and Madagascar, this figure remains at less than one per cent.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-is-the-covid-19-scare-coming-back-heres-what-you-should-know-627516">Explained: Is the COVID-19 scare coming back? Here's what you should know</a>

The UN committee remarked that the rich nations' "persistent refusal" to waive intellectual property rights "raises concerns" about their obligations under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

AFP reports that the committee further emphasised that&nbsp;"COVID-19 remains a serious public health issue with devastating negative impacts", which has a disproportionate "devastating" impact on people of African or Asian descent, ethnic minorities, Roma communities, and Indigenous peoples.

<h2>Remedies the committee suggested</h2>

The committee suggests that these inequalities could be "significantly mitigated" by sharing access to intellectual property rights for life-saving vaccines, treatments, and technologies, which are "currently reserved by a few countries in the global North".

It further urged State parties to prioritise human rights concerns and to include robust human rights safeguards, including establishing a mechanism that makes it obligatory for governments to temporarily suspend intellectual property rights during health crises.

It called upon "States parties in the global North to provide resources to enable poorer States to satisfy the core medical capacities that they are now expected to have in place under the International Health Regulations and to enable vaccines, relevant medicines and other necessary equipment and supplies to be available to all."

(With inputs from agencies)

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A committee within the United Nations (UN) has called on wealthy nations, including Britain, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States, to waive the patents on coronavirus vaccines.

A committee within the United Nations (UN) has called on wealthy nations, including Britain, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States, to waive the patents on coronavirus vaccines. The antiracism committee argues that these patents violate a guarantee against racial discrimination. Covid vaccines and patents Previously, in June 2022, member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreed to allow developing nations to lift COVID-19 vaccine patents for a period of five years. However, subsequent talks on this matter have got nowhere. Also read | Moderna's updated COVID-19 vaccine effective against emerging subvariants Eris and Fornax The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which is a group of 18 independent human rights experts, has expressed dissatisfaction with the dated agreement. The group of experts whose view are not binding said that the agreement has not done enough to address the disparities in vaccine access. Vaccine disparity According to the latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO), only 32 per cent of people around the globe have received at least one booster or additional vaccine dose. It also states that in some developing countries such as Gabon, Papua New Guinea, Burundi and Madagascar, this figure remains at less than one per cent. Also read | Explained: Is the COVID-19 scare coming back? Here's what you should know The UN committee remarked that the rich nations' "persistent refusal" to waive intellectual property rights "raises concerns" about their obligations under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. AFP reports that the committee further emphasised that "COVID-19 remains a serious public health issue with devastating negative impacts", which has a disproportionate "devastating" impact on people of African or Asian descent, ethnic minorities, Roma communities, and Indigenous peoples. Remedies the committee suggested The committee suggests that these inequalities could be "significantly mitigated" by sharing access to intellectual property rights for life-saving vaccines, treatments, and technologies, which are "currently reserved by a few countries in the global North". It further urged State parties to prioritise human rights concerns and to include robust human rights safeguards, including establishing a mechanism that makes it obligatory for governments to temporarily suspend intellectual property rights during health crises. It called upon "States parties in the global North to provide resources to enable poorer States to satisfy the core medical capacities that they are now expected to have in place under the International Health Regulations and to enable vaccines, relevant medicines and other necessary equipment and supplies to be available to all." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UN committee calls on rich nations to waive Covid vaccine patents, cites racial discrimination concerns

Ministers at the World Trade Organization(WTO) worked deep into the night on Thursday to reach a deal as news wire Reuters reported that members had reached an initial deal while winning over India.

The ministers have been negotiating in Geneva for the first time since 2017 when the conference collapsed in Buenos Aires.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wto-provisionally-agrees-to-extend-e-commerce-tariff-moratorium-sources-488891">Also Read:&nbsp;WTO provisionally agrees to extend e-commerce tariff moratorium: Sources</a>

WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala reportedly presented draft trade agreements on Friday but it did not include fisheries and partial waiver on intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines, reports said.

Watch:&nbsp;India fights for fishery subsidies at WTO meeting

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The delegates are set to meet again on Friday to add them later even as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala claimed the package was "unprecedented" while calling upon countries to accept the deal which included food security, health among others.&nbsp;

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said: "India is convinced that this will turn out to be one of the most successful ministerials that the WTO has seen in a long time," while adding, "We are very confident that the progress made and the positivity with which everybody is engaged truly is a matter of celebration for the world."

"We have taken some solid decisions, subject to a few issues being sorted out," India's minister added. Major areas under negotiation include waiver of coronavirus patents, food security, fishing subsidies, agriculture, e-commerce and others.

The negotiations went past the Thursday night deadline as countries continue to haggle over various issues.&nbsp;

"India is not a roadblock on anything," India's minister said over the contentious fishing deal.

"People are realising that we were the ones who actually helped create the sole consensus," the minister added.

The delegates also discussed the possibility of waver of virus patents with Britain's ambassador in Geneva, Simon Manley indicating that his country was ready for a consensus.

The global trade body comprising 164 members added an extra fifth day to cobble a compromise deal with delegates keen on trade-offs over a broad spectrum of issues.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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Ministers at the World Trade Organization(WTO) worked deep into the night on Thursday to reach a deal as news wire Reuters reported that members had reached an initial deal while winning over India.

Ministers at the World Trade Organization(WTO) worked deep into the night on Thursday to reach a deal as news wire Reuters reported that members had reached an initial deal while winning over India. The ministers have been negotiating in Geneva for the first time since 2017 when the conference collapsed in Buenos Aires. Also Read: WTO provisionally agrees to extend e-commerce tariff moratorium: Sources WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala reportedly presented draft trade agreements on Friday but it did not include fisheries and partial waiver on intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines, reports said. Watch: India fights for fishery subsidies at WTO meeting The delegates are set to meet again on Friday to add them later even as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala claimed the package was "unprecedented" while calling upon countries to accept the deal which included food security, health among others. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said: "India is convinced that this will turn out to be one of the most successful ministerials that the WTO has seen in a long time," while adding, "We are very confident that the progress made and the positivity with which everybody is engaged truly is a matter of celebration for the world." "We have taken some solid decisions, subject to a few issues being sorted out," India's minister added. Major areas under negotiation include waiver of coronavirus patents, food security, fishing subsidies, agriculture, e-commerce and others. The negotiations went past the Thursday night deadline as countries continue to haggle over various issues. "India is not a roadblock on anything," India's minister said over the contentious fishing deal. "People are realising that we were the ones who actually helped create the sole consensus," the minister added. The delegates also discussed the possibility of waver of virus patents with Britain's ambassador in Geneva, Simon Manley indicating that his country was ready for a consensus. The global trade body comprising 164 members added an extra fifth day to cobble a compromise deal with delegates keen on trade-offs over a broad spectrum of issues. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

WTO eyes initial deal as negotiations continue deep into the night

Vaccines are the only way out of the pandemic. However, vaccine making has become exclusive - almost like a cartel.

Cartels work ruthlessly, just like big pharma. The pharma companies are still clinging on to patents and putting profits above human lives.

It is time for governments to step in and dictate big pharma. India and South Africa took the lead in October last year. They pushed for a patent waiver at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). However as expected, the West pushed back.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-wto-to-consider-vaccine-patent-waiver-again-382815">Watch |</a>

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Now, a lot depends on US President Joe Biden, if the United States changes position, then the West will follow.

Biden, during the campaign trail last year, had promised to waive patents.

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Do it, Joe! <a href="https://t.co/jKHmzMHKB9">https://t.co/jKHmzMHKB9</a>
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There is no scope for interpretation as Biden had said a patent waiver was the most humane thing to do. But as president, he has backed patents although more than 100 US Congress members have asked the US president to waive patents.

The US trade office is apparently holding talks with some stakeholders - Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and, of all people Bill Gates, the man who has openly rubbished patent waivers.

Also pushing back is the US chamber of commerce. They have called the idea of a patent waiver a mistaken belief. These are the people Biden has been consulting on whether patents should be waived: big pharma and patent darlings.

It is possible that he decides to support the waiver anyway but the damage has already been done. Vaccine production has been set back by months even if patents are waived now and it's a big if, it is a long road ahead.

One way out is reverse engineering, meaning you break down the formula and create the vaccine from scratch. Then conduct clinical trials. A patent waiver is not sharing the formula, it just means allowing a copy of the formula, which takes time.

Biden's delay may have doomed the developing world but let's not lose sight of the real villain - big pharma who have always defended patents. And pandemic or not, their arguments never change.

There are two main ones: firstly, patents boost innovation, and secondly voluntary sharing is a better option.&nbsp;

During the pandemic, big pharma had a big cushion, an insurance of sorts in the form of public funding.

The US, while launching Operation Warpspeed, poured $18 billion of the taxpayer's money into pharma companies. In the UK, they got nearly $116 million, with most of it going to Oxford and AstraZeneca.

Overall, $112 billion of public money went into vaccine research in the pandemic, However, once the vaccines were ready, big pharma locked away the formula.

Pfizer revealed its revenue projections today. They are expecting $26 billion from vaccine sales in 2021. That's a profit of more than $3 per share.

Moderna had never turned a profit in its history, but this year they could rake in up to $20 billion in vaccine sales. AstraZeneca has already reached $275 million in a single quarter.

Some companies have promised to sell at cost, some like Pfizer haven't. There are no losses for pharma companies.

Combined with the public funding, chances are every vaccine maker is making money with billions of dollars in grants and billions of dollars in sales and pre-orders.

They are basically raiding treasuries in the middle of a pandemic. Vaccine makers do not need patents to innovate, they have enough incentive from government funding and profits.

The other big problem is hoarding.

More than a billion doses have been administered globally, with 82 per cent of these in the developed world but only 0.3 per cent in the low-income countries.

It is vaccine apartheid. At this rate, the virus will keep mutating in Africa and Asia, and the pandemic will drag on for years.

The US has secured nearly 1 billion doses for 300 million Americans.

Unless the CDC has advised three shots per person, it is a clear case of hoarding. It's been days since the White House promised to share its AstraZeneca doses but American regulators are yet to approve the jab.

It is just sitting on the shelves, 60 million doses waiting to be administered.

Vaccines are the only way out of the pandemic. However, vaccine making has become exclusive - almost like a cartel. Cartels work ruthlessly, just like big pharma.

Vaccines are the only way out of the pandemic. However, vaccine making has become exclusive - almost like a cartel. Cartels work ruthlessly, just like big pharma. The pharma companies are still clinging on to patents and putting profits above human lives. It is time for governments to step in and dictate big pharma. India and South Africa took the lead in October last year. They pushed for a patent waiver at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). However as expected, the West pushed back. Watch | Now, a lot depends on US President Joe Biden, if the United States changes position, then the West will follow. Biden, during the campaign trail last year, had promised to waive patents. Do it, Joe! https://t.co/jKHmzMHKB9 — Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) May 4, 2021 × There is no scope for interpretation as Biden had said a patent waiver was the most humane thing to do. But as president, he has backed patents although more than 100 US Congress members have asked the US president to waive patents. The US trade office is apparently holding talks with some stakeholders - Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and, of all people Bill Gates, the man who has openly rubbished patent waivers. Also pushing back is the US chamber of commerce. They have called the idea of a patent waiver a mistaken belief. These are the people Biden has been consulting on whether patents should be waived: big pharma and patent darlings. It is possible that he decides to support the waiver anyway but the damage has already been done. Vaccine production has been set back by months even if patents are waived now and it's a big if, it is a long road ahead. One way out is reverse engineering, meaning you break down the formula and create the vaccine from scratch. Then conduct clinical trials. A patent waiver is not sharing the formula, it just means allowing a copy of the formula, which takes time. Biden's delay may have doomed the developing world but let's not lose sight of the real villain - big pharma who have always defended patents. And pandemic or not, their arguments never change. There are two main ones: firstly, patents boost innovation, and secondly voluntary sharing is a better option. During the pandemic, big pharma had a big cushion, an insurance of sorts in the form of public funding. The US, while launching Operation Warpspeed, poured $18 billion of the taxpayer's money into pharma companies. In the UK, they got nearly $116 million, with most of it going to Oxford and AstraZeneca. Overall, $112 billion of public money went into vaccine research in the pandemic, However, once the vaccines were ready, big pharma locked away the formula. Pfizer revealed its revenue projections today. They are expecting $26 billion from vaccine sales in 2021. That's a profit of more than $3 per share. Moderna had never turned a profit in its history, but this year they could rake in up to $20 billion in vaccine sales. AstraZeneca has already reached $275 million in a single quarter. Some companies have promised to sell at cost, some like Pfizer haven't. There are no losses for pharma companies. Combined with the public funding, chances are every vaccine maker is making money with billions of dollars in grants and billions of dollars in sales and pre-orders. They are basically raiding treasuries in the middle of a pandemic. Vaccine makers do not need patents to innovate, they have enough incentive from government funding and profits. The other big problem is hoarding. More than a billion doses have been administered globally, with 82 per cent of these in the developed world but only 0.3 per cent in the low-income countries. It is vaccine apartheid. At this rate, the virus will keep mutating in Africa and Asia, and the pandemic will drag on for years. The US has secured nearly 1 billion doses for 300 million Americans. Unless the CDC has advised three shots per person, it is a clear case of hoarding. It's been days since the White House promised to share its AstraZeneca doses but American regulators are yet to approve the jab. It is just sitting on the shelves, 60 million doses waiting to be administered.

Vaccine profits: Why big pharma is defending patents amid pandemic

India & South Africa have been pushing a proposal to temporarily suspend vaccine patents. But, the rich countries - accused of hoarding supplies, are blocking the proposal. A last-ditch attempt is now underway to secure the waiver. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Why India wants vaccine patents to be waived

European Union Parliamentarians have strongly backed India and South Africa's joint proposal at the World Trade Organization for a waiver on intellectual property rights for COVID vaccine patents in a letter to EU leadership. The letter by 14 EU MEPs or members of the European Parliamentarians has called for a moratorium on the suspension of covid-19 vaccine patents.

The two page letter on Covid vaccine highlighted that, "South Africa and India sent a joint proposal to the World Trade Organization requesting an exemption from patents and other intellectual property rights concerning drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, personal protective equipment, and other medical technologies throughout the pandemic and this proposal is still pending."

The letter seen by WION has asked European Union to "support for India and South Africa's proposal at the WTO" with the aim to "guarantee widespread and equitable access to vaccines on a global scale"

WTO had met in December to take up the proposal for waiver of Intellectual property over Covid vaccines but failed to arrive at the decision over stiff opposition from United States, European Union and others. The proposal for waiver on IP rights for covid vaccines means affordable access to everyone even as countries try to vaccinate their population.

The letter by the EU MEP has been sent to President of the European Council Charles Michel, President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen, EU high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borrell, European Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis and European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Honorable Stella Kyriakides.

The MEPs who have sent the letter are--Andrea Cozzolino, Maria Arena, Eva Kaili, Alex Agius Saliba, Bogusław Liberadzki, Tiemo Woelken, Milan Brglez, Patrizia Toia, Irene Tinagli, Pierfrancesco Majorino, Pina Picierno, Giuliano Pisapia, Massimiliano Smeriglio, Franco Roberti.

The development comes amid the ongoing tiff between EU and AstraZeneca over vaccine supplies. Media reports are calling the India-South African proposal as a "nuclear option" and it is already leading a divide in the already divided group. In fact, the Italian Parliament had backed the proposal as far as December. A patent pause amid the Covid pandemic looks a humane action but for many license holders would see it as a loss, and would call for a pushback against it.

European Union Parliamentarians have strongly backed India and South Africa's joint proposal at the World Trade Organization for a waiver on intellectual property rights for COVID vaccine patents in a letter to EU leadership.

European Union Parliamentarians have strongly backed India and South Africa's joint proposal at the World Trade Organization for a waiver on intellectual property rights for COVID vaccine patents in a letter to EU leadership. The letter by 14 EU MEPs or members of the European Parliamentarians has called for a moratorium on the suspension of covid-19 vaccine patents. The two page letter on Covid vaccine highlighted that, "South Africa and India sent a joint proposal to the World Trade Organization requesting an exemption from patents and other intellectual property rights concerning drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, personal protective equipment, and other medical technologies throughout the pandemic and this proposal is still pending." The letter seen by WION has asked European Union to "support for India and South Africa's proposal at the WTO" with the aim to "guarantee widespread and equitable access to vaccines on a global scale" WTO had met in December to take up the proposal for waiver of Intellectual property over Covid vaccines but failed to arrive at the decision over stiff opposition from United States, European Union and others. The proposal for waiver on IP rights for covid vaccines means affordable access to everyone even as countries try to vaccinate their population. The letter by the EU MEP has been sent to President of the European Council Charles Michel, President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen, EU high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borrell, European Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis and European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Honorable Stella Kyriakides. The MEPs who have sent the letter are--Andrea Cozzolino, Maria Arena, Eva Kaili, Alex Agius Saliba, Bogusław Liberadzki, Tiemo Woelken, Milan Brglez, Patrizia Toia, Irene Tinagli, Pierfrancesco Majorino, Pina Picierno, Giuliano Pisapia, Massimiliano Smeriglio, Franco Roberti. The development comes amid the ongoing tiff between EU and AstraZeneca over vaccine supplies. Media reports are calling the India-South African proposal as a "nuclear option" and it is already leading a divide in the already divided group. In fact, the Italian Parliament had backed the proposal as far as December. A patent pause amid the Covid pandemic looks a humane action but for many license holders would see it as a loss, and would call for a pushback against it.

EU Parliamentarians back India-South Africa proposal for IPR waiver on Covid vaccine patents

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