Prognosis
South Africa’s Spats With J&J, Pfizer Mask Patent Concerns
- Country’s supplies slowed by contract demands from J&J, Pfizer
- South Africa, India have sought waivers on WTO rules
A worker administers the Johnson and Johnson vaccine at a hospital in Soweto.
Photographer: Emmanuel Croset/AFP/Getty Images
This article is for subscribers only.
Pharmaceutical companies supplying South Africa with Covid-19 vaccines are pressing the country to stop trying to loosen patent protections related to the inoculations, a person familiar with the situation said.
South Africa and India are calling for a broad waiver of World Trade Organization rules on the production and export of vaccines and other medical goods needed to combat the coronavirus, a move that could increase access to treatment for developing nations.