PATENTING OF COVID VACCINES: POSSIBILITIES AND CHALLENGES

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) commonly called COVID-19 has caused chaos and changed the entire functioning of the world. The pandemic that has brought the world to its knees is right now testing scientists and organizations to create a vaccine that could cure and protect us from this deadly virus.

Researchers and pharmaceutical companies of various countries are racing against time to find a treatment or create a vaccine as soon as possible.

However this has also given rise to moral, ethical and legal questions on patenting and pricing of the vaccine. There is also a scramble amongst various countries to ensure their citizens get first priority.