After more than a year of deliberation, the World Trade Organization appears close to rejecting a waiver on intellectual property protection for Covid-19 diagnostics and treatments, a divisive issue that has pitted low-income nations and civil society groups against medical products companies.
The members of a WTO council earlier this week again failed to find common ground on a deal, but did agree to extend discussions for another week in hopes of finally reaching a consensus, according to a trade official in Geneva, where the talks are being held. Some WTO countries had hoped to conclude an agreement before the next WTO Ministerial Conference takes place at the end of February.
An agreement, however, appears unlikely, given the ongoing logjam. The U.S. government, meanwhile, has yet to weigh in. More than a year ago, the Biden administration sought a delay on an agreement to extend the waiver in order to study implications for industry and patients, but has not indicated which position it will take.