Document Type : Commentary
Authors
1
Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, India
2
Temerty Department of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
3
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, India
4
Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
5
Center for Evidence-based Diplomacy, Global Health Research and Innovations Canada Inc. (GHRIC), Toronto, ON, Canada
6
Department of Health Policy, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
Abstract
Borges and colleagues’ article entitled “More Pain, More Gain! The Delivery of COVID-19 Vaccines and the
Pharmaceutical Industry’s Role in Widening the Access Gap,” analyzes the role of pharmaceutical companies in
providing equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. They concluded that with the failure of COVID-19 Vaccine
Global Access (COVAX), the health gaps have widened due to the profit-driven pharmaceutical sector. In this
commentary, we highlight the role of COVAX and its attempt to bridge some access gaps since its inception and
the need for reforms in policy-making and global health governance. The commentary highlights the role of
global health diplomacy in promoting equity and negotiating the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property
Rights (TRIPS) waiver for COVID-19 vaccines at the World Trade Organization (WTO) thereby promoting global
solidarity, global partnerships, access to medicine and health products, and the right to health. We conclude that
political prioritization is the key to balance the impact of profit-driven pharma industry and addressing the needs of
low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
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