On the Waiver of Intellectual Property Rights under the WTO
May 7, 2021
Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association
Chairman: Joji Nakayama
The U.S. government has stated its support for the waiver of intellectual property rights related to COVID-19 vaccines currently under discussion at the WTO (World Trade Organization); however, this position differs from that of the JPMA.
Vaccine production involves numerous technical challenges that must be addressed, including manufacturing facilities, raw material procurement, know-how, distribution, and regulatory requirements in various countries. Waiving intellectual property rights will not enable the expansion of vaccine production or supply, and it is not an appropriate measure for achieving the goal of administering the required vaccinations to more people, more quickly.The pharmaceutical industry is making every effort to expand vaccine production and supply through numerous alliances and technology transfers.
In the case of biopharmaceuticals such as vaccines, there is no guarantee that waiving intellectual property rights will result in the production of equivalent products; there is a risk that vaccines of unconfirmed quality or insufficient efficacy will be produced and distributed, leading to adverse reactions.
Furthermore, there is currently a global shortage of raw materials and supplies for vaccines.We are deeply concerned that if intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines were waived and manufacturing were to proceed in a situation beyond anyone’s control, it would exacerbate the shortage of raw materials and supplies, further fragment and disrupt the supply chain, and potentially lead to even greater supply delays.
To address the COVID-19 pandemic, the pharmaceutical industry has been advancing the research and development of vaccines and treatments at an unprecedented speed and scale through numerous alliances among companies and with academia. Intellectual property is the source of innovation that drives such research, development, and alliances.
We, the pharmaceutical companies, are committed to continuing our full-scale efforts—while working in even closer collaboration with government agencies and all relevant stakeholders—to bring the COVID-19 pandemic to an end as soon as possible and save as many lives as possible.
Contact Information Regarding This Matter
Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, Public Relations Department
- Phone
- 03-3241-0374