感染症と予防医学ジャーナル
オープンアクセス

概要

Toward an Inclusive, Equitable Approach to COVID-19-Related Intellectual Property Rights

Yaeko Mitsumori

This article analyzes the role of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and the development of vaccines and treatments for COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic started spreading out all over the world in 2020. Pharmaceutical firms and biotech companies have been developing treatments and vaccines to confront the challenges presented by the pandemic. Wealthy countries as well as international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Non- Profit Organizations (NPOs) have provided significant financial support for these efforts, which have begun to bear fruit. Various stakeholders hold different positions on how to deal with COVID-19-related IPRs, which have become a hot issue. This article will examine the current status of the pandemic, review the course of COVID-19-related drug and vaccine development, and then propose an inclusive, equitable approach to COVID-19-related IPRs.