US backs waiving intellectual property rules on vaccines
JAMEY KEATEN and ZEKE MILLER, Associated Press
May 5, 2021
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1of5FILE - In this April 28, 2021, file photo, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai testifies during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Biden administration is throwing its support behind efforts to waive intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines in an effort to speed the end of the pandemic. Tai announced the government s position in May 5 statement, amid World Trade Organization talks over easing global trade rules to enable more countries to produce more of the life-saving vaccines. (Sarah Silbiger/Pool via AP, File)Sarah Silbiger/APShow MoreShow Less
control policy, to be the drug czar who has received donations from pharmaceutical companies that are making a great deal of money from the sale of opioids. there was very little congressional opposition to this law at the time when it was signed by post. how did that happen if it contained an enforcement loophole? reporter: it s not entirely clear, but the investigation suggests the legislation ran through a protective cover under the idea there was nothing controversial in it. why did they do that? because these investigators found the pharmaceutical industry made generation donations to a good many campaigns while the law with his being developed and passed. but we just received a statement that we have to report here from the pharmaceutical research and manufacturers of america. what they have said is with regard to the recent washington post and 60 minute stories, we want to be clear that pharma did not support or lobby in favor of the act we re talking about here. and reports
the pharmaceutical research and manufacturers of america. we want to be clear that pharma did not support or lobby in favor of the act we re talking about here. and reports that pharma sent $40 million lobbying this bill are unequivocally false. and say they would explain they are backing the dea and they want an independent investigation to approve that. the biggest and most important reaction came from the man who has pushed marino for this new job, president trump, who was asked about the reports and she said he s aware of this issue. we re going to have a major announcement probably next week on the drug crisis and on the opioid massive problem. and i want to get that absolutely right.
i don t want to minimize it. there are a lot of people who live courageous lives in constant pain, but there s no question since we represent 5% of the world s population we have no business popping as many pills as we do. why is this, do you think, such a distinct american phenomenon? we like things to happen quickly and instantaneously. it s the mcdonald s phenomenon. you can drive through and get your food immediately. the same thing, you can go to the emergency department and get your pain relived immediately. immediate relief but very little education to the dangers. and lots of questions about the long-term use of opioids. a concern i put to john castillano. he is president and ceo of the pharmaceutical research and manufacturers of america, which represents and lobbies on behalf of drug manufacturers. do you know of any studies that actually show people taking narcotics for longer periods of