SA welcomes WTO agreement on the production of COVID-19 vaccines

The South African government, local vaccine manufacturers, and organized labor have praised a World Trade Organization (WTO) deal that encourages developing countries to produce COVID-19 vaccines.

During a pandemic, governments can authorize local manufacturers to produce vaccines or their ingredients, substances, or elements, as well as use patent-protected techniques, without the approval of patent holders.

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa and India recommended the measures to the WTO, with support from other developing countries.

“We applaud the agreement as a solid and practical foundation for bolstering our collaborative efforts to build a strong African vaccine manufacturing capacity.” More relationships, including access to know-how and technologies, will be required to scale up production on the continent.

“All WTO countries’ unequivocal approval for the waiver agreement should create the groundwork for future collaborations and allow governments greater flexibility,” said Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition.

The arrangement, according to Minister Patel and Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza, is a step forward in the government’s attempts to boost African industrialisation and has the potential to open output beyond fill and finish.

“The waiver is part of a broader set of initiatives to strengthen South Africa’s and the continent’s innovation and production capabilities. South Africa is working on four vaccination projects. Our current focus is on getting global vaccine procurers to source from African producers in order to meet demand.

“This waiver, like the other WTO obligations, is about pandemic preparedness, allowing developing countries to have the legal instruments they need to deal with COVID-19 variations in the future, and to prepare for future pandemics,” Minister Didiza stated.

The agreement, according to Minister Didiza, is a step forward for African manufacturers.

During the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference, organized labor and business representatives at Nedlac met virtually with government officials and pledged their full support for South Africa’s efforts to reach an agreement.

Biovac, Afrigen, and Aspen PharmaCare, local vaccine manufacturers, praised the terms, and the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition backed the strategy to reaching a WTO agreement. COSATU, South Africa’s largest trade union organisation, applauded the agreement today.

“We congratulate the South African government and all involved players on achieving a conclusion and agreement on this critical issue.”

“This will allow all institutions involved in COVID-19 vaccine development and manufacturing in developing nations to focus on the task at hand,” said Morena Makhoana, CEO of Biovac, a South African vaccine manufacturer.

“The WTO has reached a significant milestone by waiving intellectual property rights applicable in the manufacturing of vaccines,” said Professor Petro Terblanche, MD of Afrigen, a South African company that designed and developed the first South African mRNA vaccine, which is currently being tested.

South Africa’s leadership role in this historic accord is commended. This will allow the continent’s manufacturing capabilities to be unlocked.”

“We note the milestone agreement aimed at encouraging the local production of COVID-19 vaccines, particularly as it relates to the African continent,” stated Dr. Stavros Nicolaou, Group Senior Executive for Strategic Trade at Aspen Pharmacare, Africa’s largest pharmaceutical company.

This is a significant step forward for global pharmaceutical supply chains and production on the African continent.

“It strikes a compromise between allowing access to COVID-19 vaccinations in underdeveloped countries while also rewarding the original patent holders for much-needed innovation.” The fact that this was achieved through multilateral agreement bodes well for pharmaceutical value chain collaboration.”

Aspen plans to continue working with its current and prospective R&D multinational partners, as well as global institutions, to improve access to COVID-19 vaccines while adhering to the intellectual property agreements established with the various international partners, he said.

The accord reached at the WTO has been hailed by COSATU and South African labor in general.

The Congress of SA Trade Unions (COSATU) stated, “The discussions on the TRIPS agreement were difficult, but we are delighted that what resulted provides a framework to move forward with local production.”