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LONDON, May 6 (Reuters) - Britain is discussing ways of
increasing production and supply of COVID-19 vaccines with the
United States and World Trade Organization, a government
spokesperson said on Thursday after Washington supported waiving
their intellectual property rights.
President Joe Biden threw his support behind waiving
intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines on Wednesday,
bowing to mounting pressure from Democratic lawmakers and more
than 100 other countries, but angering pharmaceutical companies.
"The UK is working with WTO members to resolve this issue.
We are in discussions with the U.S. and WTO members to
facilitate increased production and supply of Covid-19
vaccines," the spokesperson said.
"As one of the biggest donors to COVAX, we will ensure
global access to vaccines and continue to encourage
manufacturers to provide their vaccines on a not-for-profit,
transparent basis."
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has previously hailed
the role private pharma companies played in bringing about
COVID-19 vaccines, saying their investments in risky bets is
"what capitalism is all about".
The government has encouraged knowledge sharing between
industry and manufacturers, but stopped short of calling for IP
waivers.
Instead, Britain has cited how voluntary licensing
agreements, for instance between AstraZeneca and
manufacturers around the world, can help increase vaccine
supplies, and has welcomed efforts to promote such partnerships.
(Reporting by Elizabeth Piper and Alistair Smout, editing by
Michael Holden)
