PHL to build on WTO’S move to expand Covid vaccine manufacturing, even meds

THE Philippines aims to build on the World Trade Organization (WTO)’S decision to expand the manufacturing of Covid-19 vaccines coupled with the possible inclusion of therapeutics, as the country aims to achieve a certain degree of self-sufficiency.

The 164 member-countries of the multilateral body on Friday greenlit a package of at least seven declarations and decisions during its high-level 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) in Geneva, Switzerland.

The package includes declarations on the multilateral body’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and emergency response to food insecurity.

At a virtual press conference with Philippine Trade reporters on Friday, Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo hailed the multilateral body’s approval of the Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver, which enables WTO Eligible Members to use the finished Covid-19 vaccine products for the manufacture of the Covid-19 vaccine without the consent of the right holder.

Rodolfo added that while the multilateral body’s 12th Ministerial Conference resulted in positive outcomes, the important task ahead is the actual undertaking of domestic measures so our stakeholders will directly benefit from the MC 12 outcomes.

“For example, in light of the TRIPS Waiver, we will further intensify our vaccine self-reliance program (VSRP),” said Rodolfo.

He said that apart from the TRIPS waiver, there’s also the mandated review in six months for a possible inclusion of therapeutics and equipment, which, he added “will likewise strengthen our collaboration with the local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.”

The trade undersecretary cited the manufacturing process, whereby the Philippine can “coordinate” with a vaccine manufacturer from another country that has the capability but has no patent, “so that our vaccine manufacturers in the Philippines can take advantage of this waiver.”

On the inclusion of therapeutics, Rodolfo said the government will start a campaign within the multilateral body.

Securing approval of the TRIPS waiver from the WTO, Rodolfo said, is “very important.”

He said it was “critical” for government side to focus on therapeutics “because we have a demonstrated capability.” Manila will start the campaign within the WTO...“TO really argue for the inclusion of therapeutics but at the same time working also with our stakeholders to strengthen their capability for therapeutics and expand,” he added.

The TRIPS agreement, meanwhile, noted that although eligible Members of the multilateral body are allowed to export to other eligible Members, item 3c of the Ministerial Decision on the TRIPS agreement warned that the eligible Members shall undertake all reasonable efforts to prevent the re-exportation of the products manufactured.

The decision was borne out of the goal to ensure the equitable access of eligible Members to the Covid-19 vaccine.

Another provision in the agreement focuses on eligible Members’ supply of these vaccines at affordable prices, making sure that they do not make a profit out of it.

On the e-commerce aspect, the multilateral body also approved the extension of moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions until the 13th Ministerial Conference or by December 31,2023.

(Related story here: https:// businessmirror.com.ph/2022/06/13/76wto-states-for-keepinge-commerceduties-freeze/)

For her part, WTO Director-general Ngozi Okonjo-iweala said,“the package of agreements you have reached will make a difference to the lives of people around the world. The outcomes demonstrate that the WTO is, in fact, capable of responding to the emergencies of our time.”