US supports delay to COVID waiver extension

Extension is “pathetic” says vaccine charity coalition | US Trade Representative says extra time will “help the world make a more informed decision” about controversial patent waiver.

The US has supported delaying a decision on whether to waive patent protection for the production and supply of COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics.

In June, World Trade Organization (WTO) members agreed a partial waiver of patent protection for COVID-19 vaccines.

Within the waiver was a commitment that no later than six months from the date of the decision (June 17), WTO members would decide on its possible extension to cover the production and supply of COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics.

Now, the US has thrown its support behind delaying the six-month deadline, in a move branded “heartbreaking” and “pathetic” by the People’s Vaccine Alliance (a coalition of more than 100 organisations including Oxfam, Amnesty International, and UNAIDS).

The office of the US Trade Representative said that it supported the deadline and would ask the US International Trade Commission (USITC) to launch an investigation into the products.

US trade representative Katherine Tai said: “Over the past five months, USTR officials held robust and constructive consultations with Congress, government experts, a wide range of stakeholders, multilateral institutions, and WTO Members.

“Real questions remain on a range of issues, and the additional time, coupled with information from the USITC, will help the world make a more informed decision on whether extending the Ministerial Decision to COVID-19 therapeutics and diagnostics would result in increased access to those products. Transparency is critical and USTR will continue to consult with Congress, stakeholders, and others as we continue working to end the pandemic and support the global economic recovery.”

As part of the investigation, the USITC is expected to provide information on market dynamics to help inform the discussion around supply and demand, price points, the relationship between testing and treating, and production and access.

In response to the announcement, Mohga Kamal-Yanni, policy co-lead for the People’s Vaccine Alliance, said it was “heartbreaking” to see the US government “succumb to pressure from pharmaceutical company lobbyists and their henchmen in Congress”.

“The US has had more than two years to meaningfully engage in WTO negotiations over access to lifesaving tests and treatments. Kicking the issue further into the long grass, just as the negotiating deadline approaches, is pathetic,” said Kamal-Yanni.

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