Support grows for IP waiver on coronavirus vaccines

Published
0

France has joined the United States in supporting an easing of patent and other protections on Covid-19 vaccines that could help poorer countries get more doses and speed the end of the pandemic. While the backing from two countries with major drug makers is important, many obstacles remain.

Any single country could block a decision at the World Trade Organisation, a Geneva-based trade body of 164 member states, to agree to a waiver.

The EU Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, also said the 27-nation bloc was ready to talk about the US proposal — but cagily remained noncommittal for now.

Read more here.

Opinion

Editorial

After the talks
05 Oct, 2026

After the talks

THE nation was made to wait for all of Saturday as opposition and government representatives convened for the second...
Child safety online
05 Oct, 2026

Child safety online

PAKISTANI children are spending more of their lives online, but the safeguards around them are not keeping pace. A...
Rising public debt
05 Oct, 2026

Rising public debt

PAKISTAN’S public debt has surged by 76pc to Rs86.7tr in four years, according to a new government report. Though...
Yemen offensive
Updated 04 Oct, 2026

Yemen offensive

The best option, therefore, is for Muslim and Arab states to help restore the Saudi-Houthi ceasefire.
Growth transition
04 Oct, 2026

Growth transition

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent call to move from stabilisation to growth, job creation and export ...
Protection at risk
04 Oct, 2026

Protection at risk

THE recent warning from UNHCR should alarm donor governments. Nearly 8.3m refugees and other forcibly displaced...