Covid-19 vaccines: Temporary suspend intellectual property rights so all nations can afford them

Vials of Covid-19 vaccines in Lima, Peru. － Reuters

Twenty-eight organisations, including the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP), and three community activists are calling for Malaysia to join other developing countries in a global effort to remove monopolies on crucial medical products in the fight against Covid-19.

A letter was sent to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin last week as members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) continue discussions of a proposal to temporarily suspend implementation, application and enforcement of several parts of the WTO’s intellectual property agreement for a defined period.