Headnote
Ms Jayashree Watal, Mr K. M. Gopakumar, Mr Prashant Reddy T. and Mr Murali Neelakantan, moderated by Dr Yogesh Pai, on vaccine equity and the proposed TRIPS waiver.
The recording
0001During the second wave of COVID 19, the Hon’ble Supreme Court observed that the Government of India should not hesitate to take measures under intellectual property laws to enhance the production of vaccines and drugs that were of immediate use for COVID 19.
0002Against this background, the panel discussion examined the challenge of vaccine equity, particularly for lower and middle income countries and least developed countries. The discussion considered the different population, livelihood, and economic challenges faced by these countries during the pandemic.
0003The discussion also considered the proposal made by India and South Africa, along with other countries from the African Group and the least developed countries, for a waiver of intellectual property rights at the World Trade Organization. The panel examined the questions surrounding access to vaccines and drugs and the need for greater global cooperation and domestic action.
0004The discussion also considered whether suspending intellectual property rules would by itself ensure technology transfer. The speakers examined the challenges involved in making vaccines and drugs accessible and recognised that there was no single solution to these issues.
Speakers
0005The panel featured Ms. Jayashree Watal, Mr. K. M. Gopakumar, Mr. Prashant Reddy T., and Mr. Murali Neelakantan.
0006The discussion was moderated by Dr. Yogesh Pai.
Cite as
‘IP and the Pandemic’ (2021) CIIPC Rec 1, Centre for Innovation, Intellectual Property and Competition, National Law University Delhi <https://ciipc.pages.dev/events/ip-and-the-pandemic/>
6 numbered paragraphs, from the Centre’s events record. Corrections to ciipc@nludelhi.ac.in.