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FILE PHOTO: A nurse holds balloons during a protest asking for COVID-19 vaccines and in favour of SUS (Unique Health System) during World Health Day in Brasilia, Brazil April 7, 2021. REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File Photo
BRASILIA (Reuters) - A Brazilian Supreme Court judge on Wednesday suspended extensions of drug patents in the country, a preliminary decision that could lower costs for drugs critical to treating COVID-19 patients at the expense of pharmaceutical firms.
Justice Dias Toffoli cited the “public health emergency arising from COVID-19” in his ruling. The ruling, which takes effect immediately, must still go before the full Supreme Court for consideration and could be reversed.