PM’s call for patent waiver lauded

24-05- 2021 09:02 PM

WE the undersigned organisations and patient advocacy groups strongly welcome Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s keynote address at the Nikkei 26th International Conference on The Future of Asia on May 20.

We applaud him for this transformative call: “To prepare for a long century of recurring health emergencies – the temporary IP suspension must give way to a total transformation of the pharmaceutical patent system.

Pausing the gears is not enough. Our obligation is to dismantle it entirely. And Asia must lead the way in opening up patent protections to produce cheaper generic versions of life-saving medicines for critical diseases, from Covid-19 to HIV/AIDS.”

As a first step, we call on the prime minister to formally inform the World Trade Organisation that Malaysia will join 62 other countries as a co-sponsor to the temporary waiver of the TRIPS Agreement that will apply to patents, trade secrets and other relevant intellectual property covering vaccines, treatment medicines, diagnostics, and other medical products needed for Covid-19.

While global and national attention has been focused on vaccines, there is also urgent need for medicines to treat Covid-19 as cases continue to rise, so a comprehensive waiver
is needed.

Signed by:

1. Agora Society Malaysia

2. Citizens’ Health Initiative

3. Consumer Association of Penang

4. Health Equity Initiatives

5. Malaysian AIDS Council

6. Malaysian Women’s Action on Tobacco Control and Health

7. Majlis Perundingan Pertumbuhan Islam Malaysia

8. Majlis Tindakan Ekonomi Melayu

9. Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia

10. Monitoring Sustainability of Globalisation

11. Parti Socialis Malaysia