Documenting 21st Century - India and the World

Last month, Indian Govt announced major changes to its Covid-19 vaccine policy and national vaccination program.  The new policy is unique in entire world. Until last month, India's vaccination program was just like any other country. The vaccines were given based on preference scale. Healthcare & frontline workers were on top priority and this was followed by age groups, senior citizens and people with preexisting conditions etc. The younger people were at the lowest scale of priority to be vaccinated last. Earlier, only central government purchased vaccines from companies at negotiated prices, channel the vaccines into central Govt healthcare system for dispensation as well as distribute it to state governments to do the same at local levels. Private hospitals were also deputed in vaccination drive under a strictly regulated price regime.  The prices of vaccines were strictly regulated by Central Govt which was negotiated with companies and procured at Rs 150-200 ($2-3

US Govt recently said that its in favor of TRIPS waiver, that is temporary suspension of IPs on vaccine technology during this pandemic. The opponents of TRIPS waiver includes big Pharma companies and several nations, most prominently the European Union Bloc. I won't comment on all the objections raised by these opponents but lets look into some of the critics of TRIPS waiver proposal. They say that vaccines produced by Big Pharma companies are highly sophisticated technology & cannot be implemented by developing nations. This argument is flawed. Basic thing about technology is that its hard to develop but its easier to replicate. The developed nations like US & UK are ahead of developing states like India in research & development of vaccines. But once the technology is developed, it doesn't take a great effort in replicating the technology provided that the original developers assist in transfer of technology & all the know how of their manufacturing process.