I met with representatives from STOPAIDS, Global Justice Now, Just Treatment, Results, and Oxfam in Parliament, to show my support for the campaign to prevent monopolies on health tools and technologies and promote equitable access to medicines for all.

In October 2020 South Africa and India submitted a proposal for a temporary suspension of intellectual property rules (known as TRIPS waiver) at the World Trade Organisation.

This proposal aimed to address barriers to equitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines, treatments and tests by facilitating rapid sharing of technology and know-how to expand production of these vital tools.

More than 100 countries supported this waiver. Yet, the UK is one of a small handfull of countries blocking progress. Global vaccine inequality remains a key obstacle to dealing with the impacts of the pandemic, with

Vaccine coverage stands at an abymsal 12% for lower-income countries.

Find out more: people’s vaccine campaign