Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also have the letter that was addressed to the Taoiseach from the individuals outlining their concerns. We have to reflect on what progress has already been made on access to the vaccine since we discussed this when people raised it previously. The ministerial decision on the TRIPS agreement provides for a waiver of certain obligations of the TRIPS agreement. It includes clarifications that will allow eligible WTO members to authorise a company to manufacture and export Covid-19 vaccines in a fast and simplified manner and without the consent of the patent owner. There have been major changes. Developing countries will be able to use this solution to authorise the manufacture, import or export of Covid-19 vaccines without prior negotiation with the patent owner and without notification requirements that would delay the start of the manufacture or export.

Equally important is the clarification that the remuneration for patent owners may take account of a humanitarian or not-for-profit purpose of production and hence support the production supply of Covid-19 vaccines at affordable prices for those in need. The decision that has been made will simplify to the maximum the process to export vaccines and their ingredients to other developing countries. This includes waiving various prior notification packaging or labelling requirements. It will also enable developing countries to scale up production capacity and supply vaccines to other eligible members. It will also support the establishment of manufacturing hubs that rely on supply chains in multiple countries. This will facilitate, for instance, filling and finishing capacity in several countries. The outcome maintains the protection of intellectual property as opposed to waving intellectual property rights. This is a key element for developing countries not only to benefit from the innovation the system sustains but also to have an environment that incentivises investment the international community should make to boost capacity and diversification in the production of vaccines and pharmaceutical products more broadly throughout the world.

I have argued previously that the successful production of new vaccines and new medicines involves public money and private money.

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