Improving global access to new vaccines: intellectual property, technology transfer, and regulatory pathways

Am J Public Health. 2014 Nov;104(11):e85-91. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302236. Epub 2014 Sep 11.

Abstract

The 2012 World Health Assembly Global Vaccine Action Plan called for global access to new vaccines within 5 years of licensure. Current approaches have proven insufficient to achieve sustainable vaccine pricing within such a timeline. Paralleling the successful strategy of generic competition to bring down drug prices, a clear consensus is emerging that market entry of multiple suppliers is a critical factor in expeditiously bringing down prices of new vaccines. In this context, key target objectives for improving access to new vaccines include overcoming intellectual property obstacles, streamlining regulatory pathways for biosimilar vaccines, and reducing market entry timelines for developing-country vaccine manufacturers by transfer of technology and know-how. I propose an intellectual property, technology, and know-how bank as a new approach to facilitate widespread access to new vaccines in low- and middle-income countries by efficient transfer of patented vaccine technologies to multiple developing-country vaccine manufacturers.

MeSH terms

  • Developing Countries
  • Drug Industry / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Drug Industry / organization & administration
  • Drug and Narcotic Control*
  • Global Health / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Services Accessibility / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Health Services Accessibility / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Technology Transfer*
  • Vaccines / supply & distribution*

Substances

  • Vaccines