key: cord-0709652-t0vqj216
authors: del Castillo, Fides A
title: Temporary waiver of intellectual property on Covid-19 vaccines: toward the creation of a better, post-pandemic society
date: 2021-05-29
journal: J Public Health (Oxf)
DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdab184
sha: 2d41a80f574fd5ce4f59b4fa54415e06f3c29b4b
doc_id: 709652
cord_uid: t0vqj216

nan

To the Editor, In the recent editorial, it was pointed out that proper mechanisms must be set up to learn lessons from across the globe as the vaccines are rolled out. 1 However, with the slow vaccination roll-out in many developing countries and the emergence of more contagious SARS-CoV-2 variants continue to put the global population's health in a precarious situation, we have to look at other creative ways to provide a sense of direction toward the creation of a better, post-pandemic society.

As such, leaders of social institutions-U.S. President Joe Biden, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, 2 and the Roman Catholic Church's Pope Francis -voiced support for the temporary waiver of intellectual property on COVID-19 vaccines. 3 The World Trade Organization-Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (WTO-TRIPS) waiver is an extraordinary response to the global health crisis. It entails the ceding of protections for some patents and technology related to the production of COVID-19 vaccines. Proponents of the waiver assert that consent from WTO member countries will boost the output of COVID-19 vaccines and narrow the vaccination gap between rich and developing nations. 4 Many countries-especially those in the Global Southare still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Undeniably, with the rising number of infections and mortality, the prospect of normalcy for such countries is dim. Their protracted fight against COVID-19 poses a threat to the health and life of humankind-all living in a 'common home.' Hence, this article advocates for the WTO-TRIPS waiver using limited rational-choice theory. 5 For the WTO-TRIPS waiver to be accepted, 164 WTO member countries must reach a consensus. Hence, the proponents of the waiver should only develop objectives that are feasible and are likely to be agreed upon. Due to the complexity of the issues involved, a plan for a more equitable distribution of vaccines must be crafted despite the uncertainty of resources for its implementation. Lastly, the proponents must prepare to accept a WTO-TRIPS waiver that is narrowly targeted as possible. Although it might not be the 'best' decision, it can help turn the tide of the COVID-19 pandemic if received quickly.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken millions of lives and continues to imperil people's health regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion or age. Its prevalence weakens our social institutions. While the WTO-TRIPS waiver is not a panacea to COVID-19, it acknowledges the primacy of human life, the equitable distribution of resources and universal solidarity-all essential elements toward the creation of a better, post-pandemic society.

No funding was received for this paper. The author declares that she has no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. 

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