What the UNODC says about corruption risks in the manufacture, allocation and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines (Part II)

In a previous article, we had referred to the lawsuit filed by the Massachusetts Attorney General alleging that ExxonMobil was misleading consumers and investors about its role in climate change. More specifically, the U.S. oil giant was accused of downplaying the impact of its fossil fuel products on climate change and the risks climate change posed to its business, in an effort to boost profit and its stock price. In defence, Exxon argued that it wanted to inform the public about the environmental benefits of its products and about its climate policies. Last Wednesday, the judge ruled against Exxon’s bid to dismiss the case, citing its failure to show that the lawsuit was meant to silence its views on climate change.

Approximately 90 percent of the western part of the United States - California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana is currently experiencing severe drought, due mainly to global warming and climate change. Colorado, Wyoming, Southwestern Texas and North and South Dakota are also affected. As a result, the demand for water has increased significantly. In New Mexico, farmers along the Rio Grande have been urged not to plant this year, as crop failures have been reported in Colorado and other farming areas. The level of Lake Mead, the huge reservoir on the Colorado River, is so low that Arizona, Nevada and other states will likely face cutbacks in supplies. In North Dakota, ranchers are trucking water and supplemental feed for their livestock because the rangelands are so dry and the vegetation is stunted.

Wildfires of the size normally seen in summers have already occurred in California, Arizona and New Mexico. Experts are concerned that this summer’s wildfires will be severe and widespread.

Also in the news, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that it had found some issues regarding the filling of vials with the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine at one of the production sites in Russia. However, these have since being addressed to WHO’s satisfaction. The issues did not relate to the safety or efficacy of the vaccine itself but rather to the integrity of data; results produced during quality control tests; the implementation of adequate measures to mitigate the risks of cross-contamination; and tracing and identifying batches of vaccines manufactured at the site. WHO is yet to approve the use of the vaccine although over 60 countries had begun to use it.

In last week’s article, we highlighted the main points in the paper prepared by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on corruption risks in the manufacture, allocation and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. However, because of space constraints, we were unable to conclude our coverage of the paper. So far, we have dealt with the following: (i) corruption risks in public procurement in general as well as in emergency funding; (ii) production of substandard and falsified vaccines; (iii) nepotism/favouritism in access to vaccines; (iv) transparency; (v) corrupt vaccine policy decisions; and (vi) intermediate measures to reduce corruption risks. In today’s article, we conclude our coverage of the said paper. We also take the opportunity to highlight the main points contained in another paper on the subject.

Long-term measures to reduce corruption risks

Among the long-term measures advocated by the UNODC are (i) the strengthening of anti-corruption laws and policies; (ii) having comprehensive auditing, oversight, accountability mechanisms to monitor the disbursement process and the related receipts; and (iii) identifying and protecting vulnerable communities.

The rapid spread of COVID-19 requires governments to act quickly. Robust corruption mitigation strategies are therefore necessary. These include: (i) reviewing and strengthening existing anticorruption laws and policies with active participation of civil society; (ii) upholding the rule of law, and ensuring the sound management of public affairs; and (iii) having mechanisms in place at public institutions to strengthen transparency and accountability, particularly in those institutions that are vital to the development, distribution and allocation of COVID-19 vaccines.

There will be massive financial resources allocated to the deployment of any COVID-19 vaccine globally. These will require comprehensive auditing, oversight and reporting mechanisms to ensure accountability and effectively mitigate corruption risks. In the Philippines, for example, emergency legislation has established a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee requiring the President to submit weekly reports to Congress about the allocation and use of funds dedicated to addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.

In relation to identifying and protecting vulnerable individuals and communities, the paper noted that corruption reduces access to health care, education and social protection services which in turn have an effect at the individual, family, community and country levels, increasing vulnerabilities and socio-economic inequalities. Corruption disproportionately affects the most vulnerable and marginalized people. In times of crisis, the compounded impact can further devastate lives and livelihoods. Corruption in vulnerable sectors such as health care and public service delivery exclude the people who are in need the most by creating insurmountable barriers to free and fair access to health care, social protection, education and community support.

Vulnerable individuals and communities who may be challenged in accessing the public health system need to be identified and supported. These groups need to have access to information about their entitlements and benefits, including available vaccine programmes and how they can access them. The use of digital tools can help governments overcome identification barriers and ensure that the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine is equitable and reaches marginalized and vulnerable populations. Timeframes for the delivery of vaccines to particular population groups should also be provided to the public, so if expectations are not met, they can be reported and addressed.

According to the above paper, to be found at https://ungass2021.unodc.org/uploads/un gass2021/documents/UNGASS_statement.NorthwesternCIHR.Buffett.pdf, corruption inhibits access to the highest attainable standard of health worldwide.

Its effects are felt in wait times, patient service and care, absenteeism of providers, superfluous charges for services, and general misuse of funds, leading to decreased trust among governments, health care systems, and citizens – and, in turn, poorer health outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic has created new opportunities for corruption. Addressing them must be an integral part of the global response.

The Center noted that COVID-19 vaccine corruption scandals have already made headlines in South America, Spain, Lebanon and other parts of the world. Italy has opened an investigation into complaints that intermediaries were offering to sell vaccines on the grey market. Anger over the rich and powerful skipping the vaccine line is palpable.

The Center further stated that both the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) provide a framework to reduce the risk of corruption, waste, fraud, and abuse relating to the equitable distribution of qualityassured COVID-19 vaccines. SDG 16 contains commitments to fight corruption, increase transparency, tackle illicit financial flows, and improve access to information, all of which are addressed comprehensively by the UNCAC and are critical to the equitable distribution of effective COVID-19 vaccines. Although quality surveillance of vaccines is performed during procurement and distribution and incorporated into the supply chain, many countries lack the financial, human, and operational resources to carry out largescale testing. Regulatory reliance is critical to such countries, particularly during the current public health emergency. Under such an arrangement, stringent agencies can test and release vaccines so that they do not need to be tested again by receiving countries.

The paper concluded that corruption in the time of COVID-19 has the potential to prolong the pandemic and further delay realization of the SDGs. Together, countries must create more robust systems for accountability, transparency that are aimed at preventing corruption risks. Accordingly, it urged all governments and leaders to use the tools provided by UNCAC to prioritize transparency and accountability, in and beyond the COVID19 response.

Here are the latest statistics from Brazil, UK, the United States, Canada, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago about COVID-related deaths (in order from the most serious):

Highlights of the paper by the Center for International Human Rights and the Buffett Institute for Global Affairs