Prognosis

EU Split on Covid-Patent Waivers Casts Doubt on U.S. Plan

Spain says IP rights can’t be obstacle to ending Covid-19
EU leaders will discuss intellectual property waivers Friday

WATCH: "If you suddenly have a diversion towards other manufacturing sites that maybe are less efficient, less productive, means that the quality is less good, maybe you suddenly have counterfeits," the EFPIA warned.Source: Bloomberg

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By Nikos Chrysoloras and Rodrigo Orihuela

May 7, 2021 at 7:53 AM UTC

Updated on

May 7, 2021 at 2:45 PM UTC

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Spain backed a U.S. proposal to waive intellectual property rights for coronavirus vaccines, breaking ranks with Germany and complicating efforts by the European Union to form a common stance.

“We in the Spanish government welcome Biden’s proposal to suspend patents,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in Porto on Friday ahead of talks with other EU leaders. “But we think it’s insufficient and that we have to be more ambitious.”