Document Type : Commentary

Authors

1 Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical Collage and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India

2 Temerty Department of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

3 Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of medicine, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, India

4 Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK

5 Global Health Research and Innovations Canada Inc. (GHRIC), Toronto, ON, Canada

6 Department of Health Policy, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India

Abstract

Crosbie and colleagues’ article entitled “More Pain, More Gain! The Delivery of COVID-19 Vaccines and the Pharmaceutical Industry’s Role in Widening the Access Gap”, analyzes the role of pharmaceutical companies in providing equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. They concluded that with the failure of COVAX, the health gaps have widened due to the profit-driven pharmaceutical sector. In this commentary, we highlight the role of COVAX and its attempt to bridge some access gaps since its inception and the need for reforms in policy-making and global health governance. The commentary highlights the role of global health diplomacy in promoting equity and negotiating the TRIPS waiver for COVID-19 vaccines at the WTO thereby promoting global solidarity, global partnerships, access to medicine and health products, and the right to health. We conclude that political prioritization is the key to balance the impact of profit-driven pharma industry and addressing the needs of low-middle-income countries.

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