Irvine’s MP has written to the Prime Minister calling for any treatment or vaccine developed to combat COVID-19 to be made accessible to all who need it across the globe.

In her role as chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Vaccinations, Central Ayrshire MP Dr Philippa Whitford received support from parliamentarians across both Houses of Parliament for her letter urging PM Boris Johnson to ensure COVID-19 health technologies, including diagnostics, treatments and vaccines, are accessible to all.

Whilst the letter welcomes the UK Government’s commitment of £250 million to fund research and development of a vaccine, it raises concerns that, without robust access and supply strategies, COVID-19 vaccines may not will be available to all those who need it – whether in the UK or in developing countries.

Dr Whitford said: “The devastation caused worldwide by COVID-19 shows just how vital it is that effective treatments and vaccines are developed quickly.

“However, we must be wary that any monopoly protection granted to pharmaceutical companies involved in developing these could lead to them being unaffordable for many developing countries. Such protection could also severely restrict the diversity of manufacturers that will be required to produce vaccines on the scale needed.

“In addition, monopolies can prevent other researchers and companies from building on the knowledge and technologies that arise from publicly funded research.

“The UK Government needs to impose public interest conditions on all UK funding committed to develop COVID-19 vaccines and treatments to ensure widespread access and transparency.

“It is vital they are shared on an open-access basis so that they can be produced and utilised across the world to bring this pandemic under control.

“Failure to ensure vaccine access in developing countries simply risks repeated outbreaks in the future.”

  *****************

Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. We’re not exaggerating when we say that the future of the Irvine Times, and the vital local news service we’ve provided since 1873, is under threat.

Please consider supporting the Irvine Times in whatever way you can – by paying just 90p for a copy of the paper, when you’re shopping for essential supplies for yourself and others, or by subscribing to our e-edition here.

Thanks – and stay safe.