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The World Health Organisation (WHO) together with Unitaid and with the support of Medicines Law & Policy, have published a briefing document to support country access to affordable COVID-19 treatments.
This briefing document is a factual explanation of some of the legal instruments that WHO Member States can use to promote public health and access to COVID 19 therapeutics in the framework of their multilateral trade obligations and rights, and according to their national legislation and level of development. It is intended to support countries dealing with challenges at the intersection of public health and intellectual property, to increase access to novel COVID-19 therapeutics and to facilitate alternative and more affordable sourcing of such treatments, where possible.
The briefing document contains background information and resources on the therapeutics landscape and WHO recommendations; an overview of the Medicines Patent Pool licenses for oral antivirals and the implications for country access; the WHO COVID-19 Technology Access Pool; other licenses relevant to COVID-19 therapeutics; and guidance on the use of Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) flexibilities.
