By Canadian Press

NDP calls for patent waiver to make and ship COVID-19 vaccines to countries in need

Nov 9, 2021 | 3:21 PM

OTTAWA — The NDP is calling on the federal government to waive the patent on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to allow a Canadian manufacturer to export a low-cost version to Bolivia.

The Bolivian government struck a deal with Ontario’s Biolyse Pharma to seek a compulsory licence to produce and export COVID-19 vaccines without the permission of the patent holder.

The process is legal under the scarcely used Canadian Access to Medicines Regime, which was designed to allow export of patented medicines to developing nations facing public health crises such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.

Bolivian Minister of Foreign Trade and Integration Benjamin Blanco says that rule exists in Canada to address situations just like this.

NDP MP Niki Ashton says these vaccines would save lives in Bolivia, and Canada must grant the compulsory licence that would enable the vaccine production to take place. 

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So far Canadian government officials have not issued a response to Bolivia’s request. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 9, 2021.

Laura Osman, The Canadian Press