NGOs appeal WTO for patent-free Covid vaccine
Ferozepur, June 21, 2021: In support of India’s call for patent-free Covid-19 vaccine, the local NGOs in its meeting on Sunday over World Awakening Day celebrations, made an appeal to the World Trade Organization – WTO, to put a ban on COVID vaccine patents.
The biggest vaccination effort in the history of medicine is underway to eradicate the global pandemic, with several strong prospects appearing poised for regulatory approval. Patents facilitate a market for innovative medicines, throughout the development stage, as well as in commercialization. Without it, counterfeiters and other bad actors could put shoddy, unreliable, and downright dangerous dupes on the market, all the while marketing them as legitimate products.
Speaking on the occasion, Kamal Sharma, Prithivi Puggal Advocate, Vijay Arora, Ashok Behal,Karan Tripathi, Aryan Gupta Suraj Mehta Anti-Corona Task Force, Swadeshi Jagran Manch, Vishav Beopar Andolan said, all present were of the view that Covid vaccine should not be patented at any cost. If it is patented, the poor and developing countires will have to pay a heavy price in eradicating this virus. Covid virus is a global global problem and the governments should ensure that vaccine is available to all rich and poor. It could be possible only if it is not patented and easily available in bulk quantities with the hospitals when a third wave is also expected and there have been alarming statistics over the infected persons and fatalities all over the world. Developing world has equal rights on Covid vaccination and medication rights.
In view of the demand of the vaccine to cover all the citizens of the country, the WTO may take necessary steps for making patent-free Covid vaccine, with stringent conditions to put a check over untrustworthy products in the market.