"" Photograph by Íñigo de Amescua
Feature story |

#NoCovidMonopolies - The Timeline

1 min
Photograph by Íñigo de Amescua
"" Photograph by Íñigo de Amescua

Our digital Timeline shows the amazing progress made - and still needed - of the #NoCovidMonopolies campaign since its launch in November 2020.

Intense campaigning and advocacy work with our allies has brought us ever closer to the goal of a waiver on patents and other intellectual property (IP) on COVID-19 vaccines, medicines and tests during the pandemic -- all to boost production and supply of these lifesaving medical technologies for everyone in need around the world.

It is a testament to the power of solidarity and how working together we have been able to support the waiver first proposed by India and South Africa at the World Trade Organization (WTO), so that by July 2021 over 100 countries now back the waiver.

South African activists protest in support of the WTO TRIPS Waiver Photo by Tadeu Andre

No Patents, No Monopolies in a Pandemic

Monopolies are often an obstacle between people and the lifesaving health tools they need. Patents and other exclusivities limit supply and keep prices high.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown we need new rules that can help every country address the fast-growing medical needs during a major global health crisis.

Over 100 countries at the World Trade Organization (WTO) supported a proposal to temporarily waive patents, trade secrets and other intellectual property (IP) on all COVID-19 medical tools.

Photo by Tadeu Andre