Health, Politics

Switzerland Says U.S. Announcement on Vaccine Patent Waiver Leaves Questions

The Swiss government said on Thursday a U.S. announcement to support waiving intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines was a significant announcement but left many questions unanswered.

“This is an important announcement by the U.S., but many questions remain unanswered about the specific solutions it is considering in this context,” the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) said in an emailed statement.

SECO said Switzerland was still convinced that waiving intellectual property rights in the context of the pandemic could not guarantee fair, affordable and rapid access to vaccines, drugs and diagnostic products against COVID-19.

It said Switzerland would examine this new U.S. request and its consequences on the Swiss position, with the United States itself and within the World Trade Organisation.

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