Voice of America
30 May 2020, 02:05 GMT+10
The World Health Organization (WHO) Friday launched a global initiative designed to create a repository for sharing of data, technology and treatments in the fight against COVID-19, the respiratory ailment caused by the coronavirus.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado, who had the original idea, launched the initiative from Geneva.
Tedros said the project, known as the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool, C-TAP, would build a worldwide "technology repository" for vaccines, medicines and diagnostics, to fight the pandemic. He invited companies or governments that develop effective therapies to contribute the patents to a medicine patent pool, which would then sublicense the patents to generic manufacturers.
Tedros said the idea is based on the Medicines Patent Pool that was successful in expanding access to treatments for HIV and hepatitis C. While Tedros said he understands the importance of patents in promoting innovation, he added people must be the priority.
Tedros stressed that "tools to prevent, detect and treat COVID-19 must be accessible to all people."
C-TAP is voluntary, and the WHO is urging more countries to join the collective effort. Costa Rica and 35 other countries so far have signed on to the initiative.
Get a daily dose of South America Times news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to South America Times.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C.: Travelers at U.S. airports will no longer need to remove their shoes during security screenings, Department of Homeland...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: An elaborate impersonation scheme involving artificial intelligence targeted senior U.S. and foreign officials in...
SLUBICE, Poland: Poland reinstated border controls with Germany and Lithuania on July 7, following Germany's earlier reintroduction...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: After months of warnings from former federal officials and weather experts, the deadly flash floods that struck the...
MOSCOW, Russia: Just hours after his sudden dismissal by President Vladimir Putin, Russia's former transport minister, Roman Starovoit,...
DHARAMSHALA, India: The Dalai Lama turned 90 on July 6, celebrated by thousands of followers in the Himalayan town of Dharamshala,...
Representatives of women's organizations and networks that were part of the first delegation of gender experts at the talks in Havana...
The 17th BRICS summit was more than a photo op. It was a coordinated rejection of Western power and a declaration of intent A few...
The 17th BRICS summit was more than a photo op. It was a coordinated rejection of Western power and a declaration of intent A few...
President Lula da Silva has pushed back, vowing reciprocal action and defending the countrys court system US President Donald Trump...
President Lula da Silva has pushed back, vowing reciprocal action and defending the country's court system ...
(Photo credit: Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Southern California offensive lineman DJ Wingfield...