not used title
not used title
In two years, biopharmaceutical companies have gone from zero to 13 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses produced. They’ve worked across the industry and on every continent to meet the global demand for COVID-19 innovation. Yet global trade officials will gather for the World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial meeting in June to debate whether and how to allow countries to confiscate intellectual property (IP) rights for pandemic-related products as part of the WTO’s Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement. Here are three reasons that underscore why it’s unthinkable to focus on IP waivers, and where policymakers should concentrate efforts instead.
We have more than sufficient vaccine supply.
There are more than enough COVID-19 vaccines to meet demand, with 13.7 billion doses produced to date and the capacity to make an estimated 20 billion by the end of this year. When IP waiver advocates originally proposed the TRIPS waiver, they noted a need to speed up production. Yet, meeting the world’s demand for COVID-19 vaccines happened without upending IP rights. Now we are seeing developing countries asking to pause donations, some countries destroying doses due to low demand, and South Africa’s COVID-19 vaccination plant risking closure due to a lack of orders.
IP has facilitated progress.
The robust U.S. IP ecosystem helped turn COVID-19 vaccines and treatments from idea to valuable innovation for patients – innovation that’s still being further researched and developed today. And strong IP protections, voluntary technology transfers and partnerships got us to this point where we can make more than enough COVID-19 vaccines for the world, alongside other innovations such as treatments and tests. Upending this system would curb such amazing progress and leave us less prepared for the next pandemic.
Leaders need to address the real challenges.
Global leaders should focus on the real challenges of distributing and administering COVID-19 vaccines and treatments to people around the world, such as last-mile distribution, supply chain issues and low demand. The true challenges around distribution, and not supply, have been acknowledged by world leaders for months. Jeff Zients, former White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, recently said, “Vaccine supply is no longer the constraint to getting shots in arms around the world.” UNICEF’s head of advocacy, Lily Caprani, said that the IP waiver “is probably neither necessary nor sufficient” to address the remaining barriers to vaccination, including distribution, health care capacity and vaccine hesitancy. The recent commitments around the 2nd Global COVID-19 Summit focus primarily on distribution and infrastructure as well. Rather than working to undermine IP, the WTO should be focused on a robust trade and health agenda that strengthens the rules-based international trading system in response to COVID-19 and future health crises.
Efforts to waive IP commitments have proven unnecessary and would be harmful to our collective work to end the pandemic and continue innovating for the next global health challenge. Leaders from nations and multilateral organizations around the world have noted that COVID-19 vaccine supply is not a barrier to access. So, why are officials entertaining a waiver that will do nothing except upend the very innovation ecosystem responsible for current and future progress?
Megan Van Etten
Megan Van Etten is Vice President of Public Affairs. She is responsible for leading the association’s public affairs efforts on international issues, including trade, intellectual property and access to medicines. Prior to joining PhRMA, Megan was director of media and external communications at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and communications director at the Beer Institute. She has also worked as a communications consultant for global public relations firms. When not at the office, Megan enjoys exploring new Washington, D.C. restaurants and traveling with her husband and friends.
Megan Van Etten
Bayh-Dole: The fuel for America’s innovation engine
September 2, 2026
Setting the record straight: 3 facts about drug patents
July 13, 2026
New PBM principles don't change the fundamental challenge: Access to lower-cost medicines
July 10, 2026
MFN could disrupt the affordable medicines patients depend on
June 18, 2026
Intellectual Property and Hatch-Waxman: A blueprint for American leadership and patient savings
June 2, 2026
Argentina sets course to enable innovation by rejecting failed patent rules
March 26, 2026
16 years later: How BPCIA continues to expand competition and lower costs
March 23, 2026
Key context is often missing from the debate over the Patent Trial and Appeal Board
March 20, 2026
MFN undermines U.S. biopharmaceutical innovation
February 25, 2026
Updated Analysis Underscores the Need for Brazil to Address Patent Backlogs
February 2, 2026
How post-approval innovation keeps delivering for patients
December 9, 2025
PhRMA calls on USTR to ensure foreign nations pay their fair share
November 4, 2025
Three things to know about Bayh-Dole: Innovation that pays off for taxpayers
October 9, 2025
Delivering breakthroughs and lower costs for patients
September 8, 2025
PBMs, not patents, are blocking access to lower-cost medicines
July 23, 2025
New report: How intellectual property drives U.S. innovation and biopharma's impact
June 30, 2025
New report: Post-approval innovation delivers substantial patient benefits
June 2, 2025
The biopharmaceutical industry is one of the highest contributors to America’s economy among all manufacturers
April 30, 2025
USTR 2025 Special 301 Report corrects course
April 29, 2025
From sound to science: How IP powers innovation in music and hearing
April 25, 2025
How the IRA is impacting the generic drug market
April 8, 2025
3 myths critics get wrong about intellectual property
March 28, 2025
ICYMI: PhRMA submits comments to White House on artificial intelligence
March 17, 2025
PhRMA submission calls for USTR to correct course on trade policy, enforcement
October 18, 2024
40 Years of Hatch-Waxman: How Can We Secure its Legacy?
September 24, 2024
40 Years of Hatch-Waxman: How does the Hatch-Waxman Act help patients?
September 23, 2024
40 Years of Hatch-Waxman: What is the Hatch-Waxman Act?
September 19, 2024
New research: American biopharmaceutical investment in R&D drives transformational innovation
September 16, 2024
Biden Administration report debunks myths around patent “evergreening” and “thickets”
September 3, 2024
What to know about the latest effort to break patents using a legally dubious avenue
August 21, 2024
WTAS: Proposed Unsubstantiated USPTO Rule Change is a Threat to American Innovation
August 12, 2024
PhRMA launches education campaign on the benefits of America's IP system
June 26, 2024
ICYMI: Innovation transforms lives but misguided federal policies threaten patient outcomes
May 30, 2024
Experts discuss the value of IP at Senate Judiciary Committee hearing
May 28, 2024
World Trade Week 2024: Time for a more ambitious U.S. trade agenda
May 23, 2024
World IP Day 2024: Supporting an innovative and sustainable future
April 26, 2024
International meetings hold big implications for Americans and our innovation ecosystem
February 26, 2024
Proposed march-in framework would chill American innovation
February 7, 2024
PhRMA 2024 Special 301 submission: USTR needs to support American innovation, global access to medicines
January 31, 2024
Powering the next generation of therapies: A conversation with Astellas US President Mark Reisenauer
January 30, 2024
New poll: Americans agree that expanding the TRIPS waiver will harm U.S. global manufacturing and innovation leadership
January 29, 2024
What they are saying: Experts agree that proposed march-in framework would jeopardize innovation
January 25, 2024
The Biopharmaceutical Industry Still Needs Clarity from the FDA on Orange Book Listings
December 19, 2023
The White House continues to attack American innovation
December 15, 2023
Biden Administration’s Indo Pacific trade dialogue is a missed opportunity to bolster American exports, innovation
November 29, 2023
Misuse of march-in could stifle innovation
November 27, 2023
WHO Pandemic Agreement offers opportunities and risks for American innovators
November 20, 2023
Word of the Month: The Bayh-Dole Act
November 8, 2023
PhRMA submission: USTR needs more ambition to combat unfair trade barriers
October 24, 2023
What you should know about protecting your health this fall
October 16, 2023
It’s PBMs, not patents, blocking competition
September 14, 2023
What you need to know: COVID-19 public health emergency is over, but ideological attacks on IP remain
September 12, 2023
WTAS on reasonable pricing and public-private partnerships
August 8, 2023
Key considerations as Congress works towards PAHPA reauthorization
July 12, 2023
A conversation with Dr. Mike Ybarra on the current state of COVID-19
June 27, 2023
Reject efforts to undermine America’s R&D ecosystem
June 15, 2023
Four ways that America’s biopharmaceutical industry supports jobs and fuels economic growth
May 18, 2023
Setting the record straight on the Bayh-Dole Act and March-in
May 10, 2023
World IP Day 2023: Celebrating women leaders in innovation
April 26, 2023
What they are saying: Experts reinforce that TRIPS waiver expansion is harmful and unnecessary
April 13, 2023
New global analysis shows patient access challenges around the world
April 12, 2023
PhRMA provides comments and testimony to USITC investigation on COVID-19 medicines and the TRIPS Agreement
March 30, 2023
Celebrating the success of the COVID-19 vaccines, and looking to the future
March 27, 2023
PhRMA submits comments to OSTP on enhancing clinical trial diversity
March 21, 2023
U.S. biopharmaceutical exports support jobs, innovation
March 20, 2023
What we’ve learned from three years of fighting COVID-19
March 20, 2023
Will the administration capitalize on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework to drive medical innovation?
March 13, 2023
PhRMA submits comments to USPTO highlighting important role of patent system in medicine development
February 23, 2023
U.S. must address IP and market access barriers abroad to protect American innovation
January 31, 2023
Biden administration should prioritize innovation in U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade
January 17, 2023
Word of the Month: What is TRIPS?
November 29, 2022
Expanding TRIPS waiver would jeopardize biopharmaceutical research and development
November 17, 2022
Six ways I-MAK is lying about biopharma patents
November 16, 2022
TRIPS waiver expansion risks public health
November 14, 2022
Expanding the WTO intellectual property waiver will hurt American jobs
November 9, 2022
PhRMA submission to USTR calls for urgent defense of American innovation abroad
November 1, 2022
The law driving technology transfer and fostering innovation
October 24, 2022
Word of the Month: Long COVID
October 19, 2022
Don’t take anti-innovation, activist funded academics at their word
October 18, 2022
Protecting against influenza: A conversation with David Ross, Vice President, Commercial Operations, North America, CSL Seqirus
October 13, 2022
New report ignores benefits of patent system to innovation and patients
September 30, 2022
Partnerships are driving global COVID-19 treatment access
September 22, 2022
The dangers of expanding the TRIPS waiver
September 19, 2022
ICYMI: New research builds upon growing body of evidence on value of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines
August 16, 2022
Patent policy changes proposed by USPTO and FDA would leave patients behind
July 22, 2022
ICYMI: PhRMA’s Ubl pens op-ed on IP waiver for COVID-19 technologies
July 15, 2022
Increase in drug-resistant superbugs during COVID-19 highlights need for policy reforms to address antimicrobial resistance
July 14, 2022
COVID-19 vaccines and treatments helped save millions of lives and billions in health care costs
July 7, 2022
ICYMI: Antimicrobial resistance spotlighted as growing public health threat
July 6, 2022
ICYMI: PhRMA CEO Stephen J. Ubl spotlights lessons learned during COVID-19
May 13, 2022
ICYMI: PhRMA COO Lori Reilly spotlights efforts to improve health care in 2022 and beyond
May 9, 2022
A conversation with Barry Greene, CEO of Sage Therapeutics
May 4, 2022
Biden Administration details inadequate protection of American intellectual property and foreign barriers to innovation abroad
April 29, 2022
ICYMI: New resource catalogs biopharmaceutical industry lessons learned from COVID-19
April 28, 2022
PhRMA encourages Biden administration to pursue ambitious Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
April 13, 2022
New Data: COVID-19 vaccine global production capacity projected to exceed 20 billion doses this year
February 24, 2022
What you need to know about newly authorized COVID-19 antiviral treatments
February 22, 2022
Guest post: Joining forces to combat the COVID-19 mental health crisis
February 17, 2022
Guest Blog: COVID-19 vaccines are the key to keeping kids healthy
February 16, 2022
Research and development continues long after a medicine is initially approved
February 1, 2022
Protecting U.S. innovation abroad to support economic and pandemic recovery
February 1, 2022
ICYMI: New report demonstrates growing global impact of antimicrobial resistance
January 24, 2022
Legislation threatens patent protections and future innovation
January 12, 2022
Navigating the patient experience in the time of COVID-19
December 6, 2021
Global COVID-19 vaccination matters now and for the future
November 29, 2021
Understanding breakthrough COVID-19 infections
November 11, 2021
New report highlights importance of IP-intensive manufacturing industries to the U.S. economy
November 1, 2021
PhRMA submission to 2022 National Trade Estimate Report underscores need for pro-innovation U.S. trade policy to combat COVID-19
October 29, 2021
The important role of antivirals in the fight against COVID-19
October 6, 2021
Understanding Long COVID-19
September 29, 2021
A year and a half later: The biopharmaceutical industry remains committed to beating COVID-19
September 8, 2021
Patients and innovators lose if the government pursues ‘march-in’
September 7, 2021
The impact of monoclonal antibodies and COVID-19 recovery
September 2, 2021
Recognizing National Immunization Awareness Month
August 31, 2021
Driving further innovation is critical to global vaccine equity
August 24, 2021
Supporting country readiness to boost global vaccine access
August 12, 2021
Ensuring global vaccine equity requires eliminating trade and regulatory barriers
August 5, 2021
Setting the record straight: Addressing common misconceptions about the COVID-19 vaccine
August 4, 2021
Increasing global access to vaccines by optimizing production
July 29, 2021
Guest post: Retired medics return to the field to take on vaccine delivery and disaster relief
July 23, 2021
Guest Post: A patient’s story of the long-term health impacts of COVID-19
July 21, 2021
Dose sharing as a part of the COVID-19 global vaccine equity strategy
July 20, 2021
Promoting global vaccine equity while protecting innovation
July 15, 2021
Data shows COVID-19 vaccines are creating a pathway to a strong U.S. recovery
July 2, 2021
PhRMA awards $75,000 to fund initiatives to reduce health inequities
July 1, 2021
More than 800 medicines are in development for diseases that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic communities
June 22, 2021
Americans 12 years of age and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines
June 17, 2021
PhRMA hosts first stakeholder workshop on clinical trial diversity
June 11, 2021
Coming together to fight COVID-19: A conversation with Barry Greene, CEO of Sage Therapeutics
June 9, 2021
A year later: Reflections on the meaning of equity
May 25, 2021
ICYMI: PhRMA president and CEO Stephen J. Ubl joins other industry leaders for a conversation on COVID-19 vaccines with Axios
May 21, 2021
Supporting India during the devastating coronavirus surge
May 20, 2021
New polling shows Americans are sounding the alarm on the TRIPS IP waiver
May 14, 2021
The Biden Administration allows politics to upend a pragmatic pandemic response
May 14, 2021
New report demonstrates development of new medicines relies on private sector expertise and investment
May 10, 2021
PhRMA CAREs Grant request for proposals: Addressing inequities in access to COVID-19 testing, therapeutics and vaccines
May 6, 2021
Ron Busby, Sr., President and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. on improving vaccine confidence in community
May 5, 2021
Reflecting on Mental Health Awareness Month
May 4, 2021
American leadership on innovation policy is essential to global health progress
May 4, 2021
Patient safety is at the heart of COVID-19 vaccine R&D
April 26, 2021
ICYMI: New CBO Report highlights biopharmaceutical leadership in the development of new treatments and cures
April 12, 2021
Diversifying clinical trials and fighting disease requires equity and trust
April 12, 2021
Key excerpts: PhRMA submits comments to NIST in effort to safeguard intellectual property protections
April 9, 2021
Building confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine through education
March 22, 2021
ICYMI: WSJ showcases breakthrough science of COVID-19 vaccines and implications for future medicines
March 8, 2021
Intellectual property is the key to vaccine development, manufacturing and technology sharing
March 5, 2021
Coming together to fight COVID-19: A conversation with Paul Perreault, CEO and Managing Director of CSL
February 24, 2021
Fighting variants of COVID-19
February 22, 2021
ICYMI: Report provides actionable recommendations to strengthen America’s preparedness and future health crises response
February 22, 2021
Top five issues voters want addressed in the administration’s first 100 days
February 18, 2021
The latest: What they are saying: Intellectual property protections vital to COVID-19 research, development and manufacturing
February 12, 2021
Lessons learned from COVID-19: The way we develop new medicines is changing
February 10, 2021
Preserving U.S. innovation worldwide is more important than ever
January 29, 2021
Growing trend: Increased vaccine confidence
January 28, 2021
Election insights: Common ground areas to address Americans’ health care concerns
January 26, 2021
Paper finds gaps in health data are a barrier to health equity
January 11, 2021
New research shows hotspots of inequity relate to increased COVID-19 hospitalizations
January 8, 2021
American biopharmaceutical manufacturing: Fueling economic growth now and for years to come
December 21, 2020
Election insights: Voter priorities in the states
December 17, 2020
Strengthening a culture dedicated to patients and equity: A conversation with Percival Barretto-Ko, President of Astellas US
December 16, 2020
Insights from the election: Meeting voters where they are on health care
December 15, 2020
Coming together to fight COVID-19: A conversation with Kabir K. Nath, President & CEO of Otsuka North America Pharmaceutical Bu
December 9, 2020
Guest post: How COVID-19 underscores the importance of public confidence in vaccines
December 7, 2020
Guest Post: Bringing our best to the fight against COVID-19
December 3, 2020
An unprecedented year and the road ahead: A conversation with Giovanni Caforio, PhRMA Chairman and CEO of Bristol Myers Squibb
November 18, 2020
Deep dive: The issues that drove the 2020 vote
November 13, 2020
Understanding the emergency use authorization process for COVID-19 vaccines
November 12, 2020
New video: See how strong IP protections lead to stronger treatments for patients
November 9, 2020
ICYMI: Addressing health inequities: Biopharmaceutical companies are rising to the occasion
November 2, 2020
U.S. trade policy must prioritize American biopharmaceutical innovation and patient access
November 2, 2020
Voters want to address the real drivers of health care costs for patients and the system
November 2, 2020
Proposed change to Medicaid line extension definition ignores importance of critical improvements in treatments
October 13, 2020
Coming together to fight COVID-19: A conversation with Alexander Hardy, CEO of Genentech
October 1, 2020
Leading researchers to spotlight the critical role of biopharmaceutical R&D
October 1, 2020
Why the U.S. biopharmaceutical industry is leading the charge against COVID-19
September 30, 2020
Coming together to fight COVID-19: A conversation with Ramona Sequeira, President of Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A
September 23, 2020
Coming together to fight COVID-19: A conversation with Albert Bourla, Chairman & CEO of Pfizer, Inc.
September 17, 2020
Guest Post: How proactivity and planning helped Novartis ensure a stable supply of medicines during COVID-19
September 16, 2020
New Graphic: Public-Private collaboration fuels the U.S. biopharmaceutical ecosystem
September 16, 2020
Coming together to fight COVID-19: A conversation with Paul Hudson, CEO of Sanofi
September 2, 2020
The 2020 We Work for Health Champion Awards showcase the best of our industry
August 27, 2020
Summer reading in the age of COVID-19
August 21, 2020
The patient perspective navigating COVID-19
August 11, 2020
ICYMI: The latest as America’s biopharmaceutical companies work to beat COVID-19
August 4, 2020
Executive order threatens R&D when we need it most to fight COVID-19
July 30, 2020
The latest: What they are saying: intellectual property protections critical as we work to defeat COVID-19
July 22, 2020
New report shows more than 400 medicines and vaccines in development to tackle infectious diseases, including COVID-19
July 21, 2020
R&D Focus: 5 things to know about the biopharmaceutical research ecosystem
July 13, 2020
PhRMA’s Lori Reilly joined CSG to discuss the industry’s response to COVID-19 and what it means for states
July 13, 2020
New initiative to bridge the gap on antimicrobial innovation
July 9, 2020
The latest: What they are saying: Importance of intellectual property protections to combat COVID-19
July 2, 2020
Guest Post: Pride started with protest: Combatting the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and racism this Pride Month
June 30, 2020
How biopharmaceutical researchers are ensuring COVID-19 vaccines will be safe and effective
June 29, 2020
In combating COVID-19, science is how we get back to normal
June 24, 2020
Guest Post: Takeda seeks ‘new normal’ for cancer research during the COVID-19 pandemic
June 24, 2020
Guest post: A post-pandemic crisis: The mental toll on America
June 16, 2020
Guest Post: From lab to jab: Vaccine development to prevent COVID-19
June 11, 2020