Writing in the Guardian, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the world needs to be “on a war footing”. Member governments are split on the issue, broadly with low- and middle-income countries in support and rich countries opposed. Like during the HIV crisis or in a war, companies will be paid royalties for the products they manufacture,” he says. Pharmaceutical companies and governments in the US, UK and Europe are strongly opposed to the waiver, with or without compensation. He praises AstraZeneca for sharing its licences so that its vaccine can be manufactured around the world.

Source: The Guardian March 05, 2021 12:00 UTC