Greenpeace India writes to WTO to end patent rights on vaccine

Greenpeace India writes to WTO to end patent rights on vaccine

AgenciesUpdated: Tuesday, June 01, 2021, 01:26 AM IST
article-image

New Delhi

Greenpeace India on Monday urged the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to waive intellectual property and patent rights on Covid vaccines, saying equity and access gaps in inoculation rates of rich and poor countries is costing lives.

In an open letter to the WTO, it said India is facing a massive shortage of vaccines and the WTO’s decision on intellectual property and patent rights on vaccines could either strengthen the fight against the Covid pandemic or lead to a battle that cannot be won. The letter comes ahead of WTO TRIPs (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) Council meet from June 8-9.

“Nine out of 10 people in developing countries may not receive a vaccine in 2021. India is facing a massive shortage of Covid-19 vaccines necessary to tackle the pandemic. The decisions by the WTO and the member delegates will either strengthen the fight against the pandemic or condemn a large section of the world’s population to fig­ht a losing battle against it," said the Greenpeace letter to WTO director general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. It said big pharma firms were not willing to share the science and technology to augment production of vaccines, delaying rollout in several countries.

RECENT STORIES

Sukhbir Badal Declared 'Tankhaiya' Again By Takht Sri Patna Sahib For Ignoring Religious Summons

Sukhbir Badal Declared 'Tankhaiya' Again By Takht Sri Patna Sahib For Ignoring Religious Summons

CBI Busts Multi-State Medical College Bribery Racket, Arrests Six Including Doctors And Officials

CBI Busts Multi-State Medical College Bribery Racket, Arrests Six Including Doctors And Officials

'Slapped, Pushed': Bihar Cop Thrashed By Petrol Pump Employees In Sitamarhi After Dispute Over Extra...

'Slapped, Pushed': Bihar Cop Thrashed By Petrol Pump Employees In Sitamarhi After Dispute Over Extra...

RJD Leader Tejashwi Yadav Slams CM Nitish Govt After Gopal Khemka Murder, Calls It ‘Criminal...

RJD Leader Tejashwi Yadav Slams CM Nitish Govt After Gopal Khemka Murder, Calls It ‘Criminal...

Dalai Lama Turns 90: Kiren Rijiju & Pema Khandu Joins Celebrations In Dharamshala (VIDEO)

Dalai Lama Turns 90: Kiren Rijiju & Pema Khandu Joins Celebrations In Dharamshala (VIDEO)