TRIPS Waiver Negotiators Reach Compromise, But Getting Consensus Is Uncertain

The fierce battle over whether COVID-19 intellectual property rights should be waived for World Trade Organization member countries may be nearing an end. South Africa, India, the US and the European Union reached an agreement that would enable eligible WTO members to use patented ingredients and processes necessary for the manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines. But the opposition to the agreement on both sides of the issue indicates it may face further modification or rejection by other WTO members.

India and South Africa submitted an initial TRIPS waiver proposal to WTO in October 2020, which called for waiver of...