The system that built a coronavirus vaccine in record time relies on robust intellectual property protections.
By Thomas Cueni
Dec. 10, 2020
A Covid-19 vaccine trial in Soweto, South Africa, in June.Credit.Pool photo by Siphiwe Sibeko
South Africa and India have petitioned the World Trade Organization to suspend some intellectual property protections from Covid-19 drugs, vaccines and diagnostic technologies. In support of the effort, Doctors Without Borders began a social media campaign urging governments to “put lives over profits,” warning of “pharma profiteering” and urging support for “#NoCovidMonopolies.” The W.T.O., which governs trade rules among its 164 member nations, considered the proposal at its Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights meeting Thursday.