News Forum - Paxlovid deal allows generics of Covid-19 treatment for 95 countries

[Thaiger]

Pfizer struck a deal with Medicines Patent Pool to allow generic drug manufacturers to produce its new Paxlovid antiviral Covid-19 pills cheaply for less wealthy countries. The deal was announced yesterday and will bring down the cost of the Covid-19 treatment course for 95 countries that are considered low and middle-income. The access covers about 53% of the world population. The plan to sublicense Paxlovid will reduce the cost by Pfizer’s voluntary waiving of royalty fees in the deal negotiated by MPP, an international organisation supported by the United Nations that focuses on getting needed medicines to poorer countries. Paxlovid […]

The story Paxlovid deal allows generics of Covid-19 treatment for 95 countries as seen on Thaiger News.

Read the full story

[Stonker]

A sliding scale would have been fairer.

Now, if you're number 95 on the list you pay maybe $10, and above that whether you're 96 or Monaco or Lichenstein you pay $700.

[LoongFred]

11 minutes ago, Stonker said:

A sliding scale would have been fairer.

Now, if you're number 95 on the list you pay maybe $10, and above that whether you're 96 or Monaco or Lichenstein you pay $700.

Makes sense but it would be very difficult to regulate. Can you imagine if Laos or Cambodia had lower costs that transborder traffic would take off.

I'm in favor of keeping it very simple.

Overall this is great news.

[Stonker]

50 minutes ago, LoongFred said:

Can you imagine if Laos or Cambodia had lower costs that transborder traffic would take off.

I'm in favor of keeping it very simple.

Overall this is great news.

But Laos and Cambodia WILL have lower costs, but Thailand won't !

How difficult can it be?

50 poorest countries, no charge for production rights.

51 -100, 33% charge.

101 - 150, 66% charge.

150 - 200, 100% charge.

How difficult was that ?

[Bob20]

1 hour ago, LoongFred said:

Makes sense but it would be very difficult to regulate. Can you imagine if Laos or Cambodia had lower costs that transborder traffic would take off.

I'm in favor of keeping it very simple.

Overall this is great news.

That is exactly what went through my thoughts as Thailand announced a donation of vaccines to Myanmar (for which there are certain trade restrictions), whilst here they are difficult about receiving donations and arguably need the vaccines themselves.

That wouldn't possibly be for a reciprocal beneficial deal would it?

[Pompies]

Thailand needs to get rid of its belief that it deserves to be regarded as a poor country and deserves handouts or special treatment. If it can afford billions for submarines, training aircraft and other hardware to defend itself against a non existent enemy than it can afford to pay full price for medication and develop a form of social security to help the 15 million who are impoverished by government neglect and economic ineptitude.