Anti-Covid vaccine, Oxfam denounces: “Half the dose already reserved by some rich countries. Pharmaceuticals protect monopolies and profits”

A small group of Rich countries, which represent only the 13% of the world population, you have already bought more than a half future supply of main vaccines against coronavirus that are currently in development. It is the alarm raised by Oxfam on the occasion of the joint meeting of the Ministers of Health and Finance of the countries of G20 on the status of the pandemic. A complaint that arises from the analysis of the data collected by Airfinity on agreements already signed by some countries with pharmaceutical companies they are developing me 5 vaccines more promising, in a context where the same companies currently do not have the capacity to produce enough vaccines for all those who will need them. Even in the extremely unlikely event that all five vaccines are effective, more than 60% of the world’s population will not have access to any vaccine at least until 2022.

“The even more alarming point is that some of the major ongoing trials are likely to fail with the consequence that even more people will stay out – said Sara albiani, Oxfam Italy Global Health Policy Advisor – Available data reveals a deeply unjust system and uneven, which has not been corrected and which aims to protect monopolies me Profits of pharmaceutical companies instead of guaranteeing everyone, in a timely manner, the main tool to eradicate pandemic“.” No clear conditions have been imposed on pharmaceutical companies to prevent them from doing so massive profits and completely unjustified in the face of this global emergency ”, Albiani denounces again.

An example refers to the vaccine developed by Modern: the company could count 2.48 billion of Dollars of public funds and, despite this, its leaders have expressed their will maximize profits resulting from the sale if the vaccine is effective. Faced with a production capacity of only 475 million doses, enough for him 6% of the world’s population, the company has already sold options for its entire supply to rich countries, at prices ranging from 12 and 16 dollars per dose in U.S, reaching approx. 35 dollars to other countries.

Italy, France, Germany and the Netherlands have already almost secured 1 dose of vaccine per inhabitant, he Bangladesh 1 in 9. Ongoing negotiations to secure vaccine supplies show a profound inequalities between rich and poor countries. Equally unequal It is the willingness of pharmaceutical companies to make the vaccine available to low-income countries: while Moderna is currently committed only to wealthy nations, AstraZeneca promised the 66% from doses to countries developing.

Along with the many organizations of the alliance Peoplès vaccine, Oxfam launches an urgent appeal to G20 countries to ensure access to the vaccine for all in every part of the world, free of charge and based on a fair distribution dose, according to the needs and requirements of public health. A change of course that will only be possible if big pharmaceuticals favor the wider production possible vaccines, sharing data and knowledge, giving up selling to the highest bidder, to apply patents and defend their monopolies.

“In the fight against AIDS we have seen in the past how much Big Pharma monopolies used to artificially reduce life-saving drug supplies and increase me prices – added Winnie byanyima, UNAIDS Director and Assistant Secretary-General – UNAIDS and other members of the Peoplès Vaccine Alliance are calling for new focus, which puts public health at the center. Otherwise, we will continue to count the victims“.” The great crisis we are experiencing will not end if governments allow large pharmaceutical companies to follow a pure profit logic. – concludes Albiani – Il Italian government is in first line in promoting forms of international cooperation aimed at developing a safe and effective vaccine. Minister Speranza has stated on several occasions that the vaccine against Covid-19 should be considered a global public good. We now ask that these statements continue coherent initiatives me concrete that allow reversing the course “.

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