In order to facilitate access to information and transparency, the World Trade Organization (WTO) published on Tuesday (20.07.2021) a list of obstacles and proposals for trade facilitation measures for critical products to address the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the Organization, the items identified include supplies used in the manufacture, distribution and approval of vaccines, as well as treatments, pharmaceutical and diagnostic products, and medical devices.
The list details some difficulties and suggestions around the manufacturing, regulatory approval and distribution of vaccines and their inputs, in therapeutics and pharmaceuticals.
In addition, it recommends trade facilitation measures in import, export and transit procedures, and other general regulatory aspects.
One aspect discussed is that essential goods and supplies must flow efficiently and quickly to respond to the surge in Covid-19 cases around the world. The delay of a single component can significantly slow, or even halt, vaccine production, given the globally integrated supply chains that underpin the manufacture of the antigens, the document says.
That means that "To control the pandemic, trade's contribution must grow, not decrease", according to the WTO.
To this end, the indicative list is based on issues identified and suggestions made by speakers at the WTO webinar “Regulatory cooperation during the COVID-19 pandemic” on 2 June 2021 and at the WTO symposium “COVID-19 vaccine supply chain and regulatory transparency” on 29 June 2021.
In line with that international cooperation effortThe list will be discussed at a high-level meeting between the WTO and the World Health Organization on scaling up production of vaccines against the disease to promote equitable access.WTO Press Release)
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