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The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact: Joe Karp-Sawey, media manager,Tel: +44 (0)7711 875 345,Email:,joe.karpsawey@globaljustice.org.uk

Coronavirus Vaccine Funding Must be Conditional on Affordable Access, Say Campaigners

Reacting to the UK government's announcement of PS46 million of funding for coronavirus vaccine research (1), Heidi Chow, pharmaceuticals campaigner at Global Justice Now said:

"Funding for research into a coronavirus vaccine is vitally important, but the government must apply public interest conditions to this funding to prevent pharmaceutical companies from charging high prices which would restrict widespread access. This is even more the case if aid money is being used to pay for it.

WASHINGTON

Reacting to the UK government's announcement of PS46 million of funding for coronavirus vaccine research (1), Heidi Chow, pharmaceuticals campaigner at Global Justice Now said:

"Funding for research into a coronavirus vaccine is vitally important, but the government must apply public interest conditions to this funding to prevent pharmaceutical companies from charging high prices which would restrict widespread access. This is even more the case if aid money is being used to pay for it.

Originally, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) had an access policy that included clear commitments on affordable pricing and patient access for any vaccine developed, but this was reversed in December 2018. The UK should be demanding that CEPI guarantees any vaccines it funds will be made available at an affordable price both in the UK and in lower income countries around the world.(2)

Too many medicines have been produced following publicly-funded research and development and sold back to governments at inflated prices. The NHS ends up paying twice - and people in the global south can end up being shut out completely. The coronavirus crisis is vividly demonstrating the need not only for public healthcare systems in all countries, but also the urgency of ending our overreliance on the private sector for manufacturing essential medicines."

Global Justice Now is a democratic social justice organisation working as part of a global movement to challenge the powerful and create a more just and equal world. We mobilise people in the UK for change, and act in solidarity with those fighting injustice, particularly in the global south.

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