Coronavirus Response Summit must deliver vaccine plan that puts people ahead of big pharma profits

Ahead of the Coronavirus Global Response Summit on Monday 4th May, which aims to raise $8 billion to develop vaccines, treatments and tests to help end the Covid-19 pandemic, Anna Marriott Oxfam Health Policy Manager said:

“This unprecedented global health crisis must be met with a vaccine plan that puts people ahead of the profits of big pharmaceutical companies. Government donors must ensure that the money they pledge comes with conditions attached, to guarantee successful treatments and vaccines are public goods, available to everybody free of charge. 

“They must also ensure that those who are most in need —front line workers and vulnerable people, including those in poor countries— should be at the front of the queue. We urge governments to be generous and to show solidarity in the global fight against this virus.  

“Public taxes are paying for the development of a vaccine. Big pharma must not be allowed to profit from it at this critical time of human need. No one is safe until we are all safe —no one must be left behind.”