What this compromise entails is too great. Indeed, the time frames will be even longer, and the number of countries that could have access to the revenues or technology will be further reduced. This even affects countries that have the potential, such as Kenya and other Asian countries.
In addition, there is a further restriction on lifting patent or intellectual property protection only for vaccines, when there are all sorts of other technologies and products that are and will increasingly be available to treat or prevent COVID‑19. These products are all the more important because they will be effective in reaching the most remote and poorest populations in the world.
It is known that managing the cold chain with regard to vaccine storage is complicated. It is even more complicated to manage in African countries, for example, especially in remote areas in Africa. Therefore, the lifting of patents should cover all products or treatments that are developed by pharmaceutical companies to treat, prevent or cure COVID‑19.
The original proposal was made in October 2020 and it is now March 2022. During this time, we are continually dealing with other waves and losing time. So we need to move forward.