Ecuador becomes the latest country to eye compulsory licensing for Covid-19 products
Drug makers argue licensing eviscerates patent rights and have successfully lobbied U.S. officials over the years to lean on countries that have pursued or considered licensing.
As the novel coronavirus continues to spread, Ecuador has become the latest country in which lawmakers are looking to issue compulsory licenses for medicines and vaccines to combat Covid-19 and ensure their citizens have access to any medical products.
Late last week, a committee in the National Assembly approved a asking the Minister of Health to issue licenses that would allow the government to sidestep patents related to Covid-19 medical technologies.
