NEW DELHI, MAY 07, 2021: INDIA on Thursday welcomed the US government’s decision to support a proposal moved by it and South Africa to temporarily relax some Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) rules for COVID-19 vaccines during the ongoing pandemic.
US Trade Representative (USTR) Ms Katherine Tai had announced that the administration of President Mr Joe Biden “believes strongly” in Intellectual Property (IP) protections but in light of the global health crisis and extraordinary circumstances they will “support the waiver of those protection for COVID-19 vaccines.”
Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi personally raised the matter during his April 26 call with Mr Biden.
“We welcome the statement of the US government of May announcing their support for this initiative. We are hopeful that with a consensus based approach, the waiver can be approved quickly at the WTO,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.
More than 100 countries have backed India and South Africa’s proposal at the WTO since last October for a waiver of IP protections to ensure quick and affordable access to vaccines and medicines for developing countries.
“The waiver is an important step for enabling rapid scaling up of manufacture and timely availability of affordable COVID-19 vaccines and essential medical products,” it added.
The US move comes against the backdrop of a fresh push at the WTO with a revised text of last year’s proposal expected to highlight the urgent need for equitable and speedy access to vaccines following a second wave of infections in some countries.
WTO Director General Ms Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala also welcomed the US’ willingness to engage with proponents of the temporary waiver and said she was looking forward to the start of the text-based negotiations.
“We need to respond urgently to COVID-19 because the world is watching and people are dying... It is only by sitting down together that we will find a pragmatic way forward – acceptable to all members – which enhances developing countries’ access to vaccines while protecting and sustaining the research and innovation so vital to the production of these life-saving vaccines,” she said.
However, it is to be noted that the US position is limited to COVID-19 vaccines, while the India-South Africa proposal is for such a waiver on all COVID-19 interventions, including therapeutics and diagnostics.