Despite urgent calls to ensure the equal distribution of Covid-19 vaccines in 2021, pharmaceutical companies tragically failed to rise to the challenge of a once-in-a-century global health and human rights crisis. Instead, they monopolized technology, blocked and lobbied against the sharing of intellectual property, charged high prices for vaccines and prioritized supplies to wealthy countries, …
Tag Archives: TRIPS waiver
‘Each-way bet’: Trade Minister declines to co-sponsor waiver on COVID vaccine monopolies
On the eve of an important World Trade Organisation (WTO) meeting on intellectual property this week, the Government has revealed that Australia will not co-sponsor a proposal to waive commercial monopolies on COVID19 vaccines, as Shadow Trade Minister Madeleine King MP and campaigners have urged. The disclosure came through Senate Estimate proceedings on 28 October, in which Department of Foreign Affairs and …
Pharmaceutical Companies Need to do More to Help Vaccinate the World
Of particular concern in respect to Astrazeneca is their continued lobbying against initiatives seeking to increase manufacture and supply of Covid-19 vaccines and promote their fair distribution, such as the proposed TRIPS waiver and WHO technology sharing mechanisms.
Community groups urge Trade Minister to deliver on waiving monopolies at WTO
Following months of campaigning, Australian civil society organisations last week welcomed the comments from Trade Minister Dan Tehan that the Australian Government now supports the temporary waiver of monopoly rules on COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and related products proposed by India and South Africa at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The waiver is key to supporting equitable …
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Amnesty welcomes Australia’s support for the TRIPS Waiver to end vaccine monopolies
Amnesty International has written to Australian Trade Minister Dan Tehan, welcoming the Australian Government’s recent commitment to support the waiver on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). But more must be done.
Australia must support the proposal for a temporary Waiver from Certain Provisions of the TRIPS Agreement
Amnesty International has urged the Australian Government once again to support the revised proposal for a temporary Waiver from Certain Provisions of the TRIPS Agreement for the Prevention, Containment and Treatment of Covid-19 with other World Trade Organisation (WTO) member states. Under current WTO rules, pharmaceutical companies have a 20-year monopoly on COVID-19 vaccines and …
European Parliament backing TRIPS further isolates Australia in global movement for equal access to vaccines
Responding to the announcement that the European Parliament has voted to back the TRIPS waiver, Amnesty International Campaigner Joel MacKay said: ‘This news from the European Parliament further isolates Australia as one of the few governments holding out on an important step towards equal access to vaccines. “With the US and now Europe throwing their …
Australia risks becoming isolated on TRIPs
Responding to the announcement that the US, France and Spain have all signalled their intention to support the TRIPS waiver, Amnesty International Campaigner Joel MacKay said: “Amnesty remains deeply concerned and disappointed that Australia is one of the few countries that are continuing to block this proposal that would allow more countries to manufacture and …
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