MSF teams providing care to COVID patients in Antonio Lorena hospital, Cusco, Peru.
Letter |

Letters to US President and Trade Representative to swiftly implement IP waiver of all COVID-19 medical tools

COVID-19
United States of America
COVID19_Letter_POTUS_Waiver_open-letter_ENG_20210622
COVID19_Letter_USTR_Waiver_open-letter_ENG_20210629
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In an open letter, MSF joins 130 US civil society organizations calling on President Biden to ensure a swift adoption of a comprehensive TRIPS waiver to cover COVID-19 vaccines, diagnostics and treatment, and to persuade the European Union to negotiate on the TRIPS waiver in good faith.

In another letter, as the text-based negotiations of the TRIPS waiver continue, MSF joins US civil society organizations calling on the US Trade Representative to pursue an inclusive scope of the waiver to cover treatment, diagnostics, and other medical supplies, in addition to vaccines.

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South African activists protest in support of the WTO TRIPS Waiver Photo by Tadeu Andre
Campaign

No Patents, No Monopolies in a Pandemic

Monopolies are often an obstacle between people and the lifesaving health tools they need. Patents and other exclusivities limit supply and keep prices high.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown we need new rules that can help every country address the fast-growing medical needs during a major global health crisis.

Over 100 countries at the World Trade Organization (WTO) supported a proposal to temporarily waive patents, trade secrets and other intellectual property (IP) on all COVID-19 medical tools.

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Photo by Tadeu Andre