| By: |
Cozzi, Guido;
Galli, Silvia |
| Abstract: |
Should the intellectual property rights on the first Covid-19 vaccines be
temporarily lifted in applying the Trade-Related Aspect of Intellectual
Property (TRIPS) flexibility? Is it right to grant the first generation of
Covid-19 vaccines a special treatment from an IPR perspective? On what
grounds? By extensively reviewing the available medical and economic
literature on the subject, this chapter will guide the reader step-by-step to
the leading scientific, political, and cultural challenges in granting broad
worldwide access to vaccination. The accumulated delays in providing effective
Covid-19 vaccine intervention in the low- and middle-income countries are
ultimately responsible for the virus circulation at the global level and the
proliferation of immunity-escaping variants. Therefore governmental
rationality around the world would suggest any possible active policy tool to
scale up the current vaccines supply. However, not to prevent future
investment in R&D, the governments should bear the cost of the expected
increased industry obsolescence determined by a temporary patent waiver; this
includes public patent-buy-outs and regulated public-private R&D partnerships. |
| Keywords: |
Vaccines,Covid-19,Pandemics,Patents,Innovation |
| JEL: |
I18 O30 |
| Date: |
2022 |
| URL: |
https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:glodps:1095 |