Author: Peter Drahos
Abstract: The paper examines three decades of the history of patents and pandemics that begins with the HIV/AIDS pandemic and TRIPS. This history demonstrates that the patent system is itself a huge source of risk when it comes to managing the risks of pandemics. From this history ten core lessons are extracted. The central message of the paper is that developing countries will have to focus on collaborations among themselves with the aim of building a wide base of rich manufacturing experience in the production of medicines and therapies. They can expect no priority of treatment under the present patent-mediated response to pandemics.
Citation: Peter Drahos. Public Lies and Public Goods: Ten Lessons From When Patents and Pandemics Meet. European University Institute Working Paper LAW 2021/5. Available at: https://cadmus.eui.eu/bitstream/handle/1814/71560/EUI_WorkingPaper_Law_2021_5.pdf
