International Covid-19 Response: Innovation and Access to Treatment

Mr. Shannon agreed with Ms. Chamberlain's points about inequalities, highlighting that ethnic minorities and persecuted people would be at the end of the queue for receiving any covid help or vaccines.

Ms. Moran echoed Ms. Chamberlain's sentiments, stressing that public health measures such as furlough schemes are essential alongside access to medicines for those without immediate healthcare systems.

Mr. Grady congratulated Ms. Chamberlain on securing the debate and expressed concerns over the changes made by the UK Government, urging the Minister for assurances regarding global vaccine accessibility as a common good despite departmental mergers that may reduce scrutiny.

The UK Government's commitment to funding partnerships and collaborations for developing vaccines, therapies, and tests is welcome, but there is a concern about equitable access based on need. Sarah Champion highlights the importance of legal measures to ensure distribution to low- and middle-income countries. She references historical cases such as antiretroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS in South Africa where cost barriers led to deaths. Similarly, cancer drugs pricing varies widely between high-income and low/middle-income countries affecting survival rates significantly. For polio vaccines, while there has been a 99% reduction in cases since 1985, the oral vaccine linked to outbreaks due to live virus shedding highlights cost considerations beyond just economic ones. She calls for the Government's commitment to ensuring equitable access and supports waiving of intellectual property monopolies related to COVID-19 tools proposed by India and South Africa.

Compliments Sarah Champion’s speech, emphasising the importance of the International Development Committee’s scrutiny in development issues. Suggests support for the continuation of the committee either as a non-departmental Select Committee or as an official development assistance-scrutinising Committee.

The debate discusses the importance of equitable access to vaccines and therapeutics, highlighting the scientific community's role in global crises. Layla Moran emphasises that it is scientifically smart and morally right to ensure fair vaccine distribution globally, given how new mutations could impact vaccine efficacy if not contained effectively. She questions the Government’s stance on supporting a TRIPS waiver proposal and endorsing the WHO covid technology access protocol for better global access to vaccines. Additionally, she stresses the importance of maintaining foreign aid at 0.7% of gross national income to mitigate secondary crises such as child marriages, labour exploitation, suicides, and food shortages in developing nations due to economic downturns caused by the pandemic.

We must take a united approach to combat the global pandemic, and it is unacceptable for developing countries with overstretched healthcare systems to be left behind. The Government's failure to ensure equitable access to vaccines undermines their reputation as a development superpower and jeopardises public health. The UK should attach stringent conditions to funding provided to pharmaceutical companies to ensure that innovations are accessible globally, especially in low-income and middle-income countries. Terms must be attached to the funding to ensure that final products are sold at cost and not profiteered from. Furthermore, the Government should support initiatives such as the WHO's covid accessible technology initiative and consider issuing Crown use licences for life-saving products.

The UK must prepare a strategy based on clarity, transparency and implementation to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines. Criticises the lack of global leadership in the initial pandemic response, highlighting the need for improved cooperation and solidarity moving forward. Emphasised that decisions about vaccine prioritisation should be transparent and fair, and called for clear action from the Government regarding COVAX funding and intellectual property transparency.

Asked about the UK's initial involvement with ACT and challenged the use of 'voluntary' in intellectual property sharing.

Requested to give way but did not provide a full contribution.

Emphasised the UK's commitment to ensuring rapid and equitable global access to vaccines, treatments, and tests through scientific co-operation, funding, and collaboration with other nations. Highlighted specific contributions such as dexamethasone trials, support for the ACT accelerator, COVAX facility, and intellectual property sharing mechanisms.

Thanked Members who contributed to the debate, acknowledged the younger populations in developing countries which have mitigated against severe impacts of covid-19 but expressed concerns about long-term effects and mutations. Highlighted the UK's leadership role while stressing on the need for the government to take further steps such as supporting patent waivers and the WHO’s C-TAP initiative.