A Fair Shot for Vaccine Affordability
A Fair Shot for Vaccine Affordability: Understanding and addressing the effects of patents on access to newer vaccines
A new report from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) considers the effects of patents on access to pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines – two important, yet expensive, new tools to protect people from preventable sickness and death.
Based on reviews of patents and supplemental literature, and key informant interviews with stakeholders in Brazil, China, India and the US, the analysis finds that patents pose a threat to access to affordable versions of newer vaccines like PCV and HPV vaccines.
The report outlines measures potential competitor vaccine manufacturers can take to mitigate some of the harmful effects patents have on competition and access, and provides recommendations for how all stakeholders can help promote price-lowering competition for lifesaving vaccines for children worldwide.
