At the beginning of the pandemic, we reported on the extreme inequality of the vaccine rollout to low income countries. Their access was hindered because of a western patent system imposed globally through the World Trade Organization. At the time, activists tried to pass some activists tried to pass something called the TRIPS waiver, which would have suspended all patents related to COVID-19, not just for vaccines, but for all therapeutics and protective equipment. But as the world moved on from COVID-19, so did the efforts for equity.
The TRIPS Waiver failed to provide access to medicines, and poor countries never received the vaccines they were promised.
But the global south is fighting back. On today's show we look back at the failures of the early pandemic and we look forward, at new initiatives led by scientists and activists to circumvent patents and create broader access to medicines.
Learn more about the story and find the transcript on radioproject.org.
Making Contact is an award-winning, nationally syndicated radio show and podcast featuring narrative storytelling and thought-provoking interviews. We cover the most urgent issues of our time and the people on the ground building a more just world.
EPISODE FEATURES: Fatima Hassan, Human rights lawyer and founder of Health Justice Initiative; Piotr Kolczynski, EU Health Policy & Advocacy Advisor for The People's Vaccine Alliance; Achal Prabhala, Researcher and coordinator of the AccessIBSA project; Petro Terblanche, Managing Director of Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines
MAKING CONTACT: This episode is hosted by Salima Hamirani. It is produced by Anita Johnson, Lucy Kang, Salima Hamirani, and Amy Gastelum. Our executive director is Jina Chung.
MUSIC: This episode includes music from Blue Dot Sessions, “Sweetly;” Deef, “Nostalgia of an Ex Gangsta Rapper;” Doctor Turtle, “Leap Second;” frankum, “Reward MusicTrack - Ambiance guitar;” Monplaisir, “Juan Garcia Madero,” “Ridiculous,” and “Stay Quiet;” Robert John, “Slinky.”
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