The U.S. support for an international proposal to waive patents for COVID-19 vaccines was met with surprise and skepticism on Friday by European governments, who remain divided about the eventual benefits of the idea.
The outlook: Industry lobbying and conflicting national interests will collide as the WHO tries to reach unanimity on the measure. But even if it is never adopted, the mere threat of patent waivers may be enough to force the pharmaceutical industry to up its game and increase its global manufacturing and distribution capacities. Which may be the main explanation why the U.S. and others are overcoming their previous objections and now support the idea.