Brazil's Bolsonaro signs law that could break Covid-19 vaccine patents
But the right-wing leader vetoed the provisions that patent holders would need to transfer the knowledge and supply the raw materials needed to duplicate the vaccines and medications
FILE PHOTO: Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro attends the ceremony of National Volunteer Day at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil August 26, 2021. REUTERS/Adriano Machado
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday signed off on a law allowing for vaccine and medication patents to be broken in a public emergency, such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
But the right-wing leader vetoed the provisions that patent holders would need to transfer the knowledge and supply the raw materials needed to duplicate the vaccines and medications.
According to a statement from his office, those provisions were seen as being too difficult to implement and discouraging investment in researching new technologies.
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Bolsonaro had previously criticised the law as potentially harming Brazil's commercial relationships.
Under the law, the president is the one who would determine when to break a patent in an emergency.
