The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has adopted by a large majority (72 in favor – 16 against) an amendment of the Group of the United European Left to the Resolution “Covid-19 vaccines: ethical, legal and practical considerations”. The amendment calls on the states of Council of Europe to treat Covid-19 vaccine as a global public good. According to it, “European Union authorities and states should overcome the barriers and restrictions arising from patents and intellectual property rights, in order to ensure the widespread production and distribution of vaccines in all countries and to all citizens”. »
This idea has been initially proposed by the President of SYRIZA Alexis Tsipras and it is also discussed in the European Parliament, having already the support of 38 MEPS from the groups of the Left, the Greens and the S&D. The amendment aims first of all to ensure vaccine equity, so as to guarantee equal access to vaccines, but also to check on the profiteering practice of multinational pharmaceutical companies, which often do not respect their commitments, as recently by their failure to ensure massive delivery of vaccines to the European Union.
Covid-19 vaccines: ethical, legal and practical considerations (coe.int)