Major generic makers will partner with Medicines Patent Pool to pursue voluntary licenses COVID-19 drugs

The Medicines Patent Pool, a United Nations-backed agency that aims to expand access to medicines, is working with 18 big generic drug companies to accelerate access to COVID-19 treatments for low- and middle-income countries. According to the organization, the goal is to encourage brand-name drug makers to negotiate agreements to either license rights to their products or, where licenses are unnecessary, make it possible to boost manufacturing capacity. “This unprecedented cooperation from companies that are typically competitors represents a breakthrough in our efforts to level the playing field for access to drugs that will be crucial to controlling and defeating this pandemic,” said Charles Gore, the Medicines Patent Pool executive director, in a statement. He said the goal is to focus on both new and repurposed treatments to combat COVID-19. Gore explained, “Ideally, what you want is two or three companies operating in each country to drive prices down. But it has to be done simultaneously done and it has to be done now. … This could be a really important part of the puzzle in trying to ensure equitable access in low and middle-income countries.”