Abandonment of Intellectual Property in the WTO
May 07, 2021
Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association
Chairman Joji Nakayama
The U.S. government has expressed its support for the waiver of intellectual property (Weber) on the COVID-19 vaccine being discussed at the World Trade Organization (WTO), which is at variance with the opinion of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (PMAJ).
There are many technical issues to be resolved in the production of vaccines, including production facilities, raw material procurement, know-how, distribution, and pharmaceutical regulations in each country. The relinquishment of intellectual property does not make it possible to expand production or supply of vaccines, nor is it an appropriate response to address the need for more and faster delivery of the required vaccinations. The pharmaceutical industry is doing its best to expand vaccine production and supply through a number of alliances and technology transfers.
In the case of biopharmaceuticals such as vaccines, there is no assurance that the abandonment of intellectual property will produce an equivalent product, and there is concern that vaccines of inadequate quality or efficacy may be produced and distributed, resulting in the risk of adverse reactions.
In addition, there is currently a worldwide shortage of raw materials and supplies for vaccines. If the COVID-19 vaccine intellectual property were to be abandoned and production were to take place under conditions that no one could control, this would accelerate the shortage of raw materials and supplies and cause even greater dispersion and confusion in the supply chain, which could lead to further supply delays and other problems.
The pharmaceutical industry has been conducting research and development of vaccines and therapeutics at an unprecedented speed and scale under numerous alliances among companies and with academia in order to solve COVID-19. Intellectual property is the source of innovation that drives such R&D and alliances.
We, the pharmaceutical industry, will continue to do our utmost to bring the new coronavirus disease under control as quickly as possible and save as many lives as possible, while working in close collaboration with government agencies and other concerned parties in each country.
The End
For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact
Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, Public Relations Department
- Phone
- 03-3241-0374