Britain open to talks over IP waivers for vaccines

Britain is open to talks with the United States and other World Trade Organization members on the issue of IP waivers for Covid-19 vaccines, a government spokesman said after pressure from charities to back US proposals. US president Joe Biden last week threw his support behind waiving intellectual property rights for Covid-19 vaccines. British and European Union officials have been sceptical about the usefulness of the proposal, while saying they are prepared to discuss it.

“We are engaging with the US and other WTO members constructively on TRIPS waiver issue, but we need to act to expand production and distribution worldwide,” the British government spokesman said, adding WTO talks on the waiver would be lengthy as they would need unanimous support.