REPORT: PHARMA COMPANIES ASK LOBBYISTS TO STOP I.P. WAIVER REQUEST AT WTO

NEW DELHI: With an eye on the next meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the US pharma industry has mobilised at least 100 lobbyists in a bid to persuade lawmakers and members of the Biden administration to oppose a proposed waiver on intellectual property rights protections over Covid-19 vaccines, according to a report published by The Intercept.

The United States and a handful of other major nations, including the UK, have stalled discussions at the WTO involving a proposal pushed by India and South Africa that now has the support of about 100 members of the global trade body.

The proposal aims to waive IPR protections for US pharma companies so that developing countries can freely produce coronavirus vaccines.

The Intercept report said the lobbyists include former staff members of the powerful US trade representative’s office, as well as Mike McKay, a fundraiser for House Democrats who is now working on retainer for Pfizer.