Since the outbreak of the new coronavirus, the European Commission has allocated millions of Euros to promote research on COVID-19. Several national governments have also mobilised substantial resources to support the development of diagnostics, treatments and vaccines.
In this letter, a broad coalition of ngos, including SOMO, urge the EU institutions and national governments not to allow ‘business as usual’ approach in which market dynamics dictate price setting at the expense of rapid access, and where financial considerations – rather than public health – guide where and when products will be available.
They strongly recommend that the EU institutions and national governments incorporate collective, pro-public safeguards, in current and future funding calls and investments, such as:
- Transparency regarding public contributions;
- Accessibility and affordability clauses;
- Non-exclusive licences for exploitation of end-result products.
