WTO to start vaccine supply negotiations amid clash on patents

World Trade Organization (WTO) members agreed Wednesday to start formal negotiations on June 17 regarding a plan to boost COVID-19 vaccine supply to developing countries, as reported in Sharenet.

South Africa and India, backed by many emerging nations, have been pushing for eight months for a temporary waiver of IP rights on vaccines and other treatments to redress what proponents say is "staggering" inequity of supply.

The EU presented a plan, backed by the UK, Switzerland and South Korea, that it says would more effectively broaden supply. It argues that existing WTO rules already allow countries to grant licences to manufacturers even without the patent-holder's consent.

WTO members agreed to begin discussions on June 17 to determine the format of negotiations and to produce a report outlining their progress on the vaccine supply plan by July 21-22, when the WTO's general council convenes, a Geneva trade official said.