Covax`s contracts with countries assume costs of $10.55 per dose, but warn that the final cost could be higher after the inclusion of an « access/speed premium, » which Covax says will be done to help companies bring their vaccines to market. In the United States, pharmaceutical companies are protected from almost any liability if their vaccines do not work or cause serious side effects. The government has covered Covid-19 drug manufacturers under the PREP Act, a 2005 law designed to speed up access to medicines in the event of a health emergency. « Pfizer and BioNTech are committed to providing equitable and affordable access to Covid-19 vaccines for people around the world. Globally, we have allocated 36% of our doses to care in middle- and low-income countries, the latter at a non-profit price. Some countries, including the United States, have laws that provide compensation for vaccine manufacturers, but most do not. In addition to their commitments with governments, Pfizer and BioNTech have expressed interest in a potential delivery to the COVAX Facility, a mechanism established by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the World Health Organization (WHO), which aims to provide governments with rapid access to a broad portfolio of COVID-19 vaccine candidates using a range of technology platforms. Activate. produced by several manufacturers around the world. The coronavirus vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech has proven to be a success. As the first company to receive emergency clearance in the United States, Pfizer`s vaccine became the most popular in the world with 3.5 billion doses purchased.
Sales could double in 2022 according to forecasts. Pharmaceutical companies are seeking similar exemptions from liability in negotiations with other countries. European negotiators have resisted such demands. Covax also insists that countries assume all responsibilities within the framework of their contracts. Some aspects of contracts are not uncommon, including the use of arbitration and clauses designed to provide legal protection for businesses. Pfizer`s price for its vaccine, which was only $10 per dose in Brazil, appeared to be lower than some competitors` prices. « Our constant goal has been to provide as many doses as possible of our COVID-19 vaccine to people around the world to end this pandemic, » said Ugur Sahin, M.D., CEO and co-founder of BioNTech. « We are honored to support the United States and more than 100 countries in their ongoing immunization programs. » Some contract requests appear to have slowed the adoption of vaccines in countries.
At least two countries have withdrawn from the negotiations and publicly criticized the company`s demands. However, the two later struck a deal with Pfizer. Public health advocates have called on rich countries – which have almost monopolized the market for early doses – to give or sell vaccines to poor countries. But contracts can limit buyers` ability to export cans, which could hurt pharmaceutical companies` sales. Dag Inge Ulstein, Norway`s Minister for International Development, said countries and international organizations need to do more to make treaties public. He also called on countries to share vaccine technology, saying rich governments should give vaccines to poor countries early – even if they continue to vaccinate their own citizens, as Norway plans to do. In the Annex of 29. The agreement signed in October 2020 states that the Dominican government will « indemnify, defend and indemnify Pfizer, its partner BioNTech and its affiliates » from legal affairs and costs arising out of, in connection with or from the vaccine, including, but not limited to, every stage of design, development, investigation, formulation, trials, clinical trials, manufacturing, labelling, packaging, transport, storage, distribution, marketing, advertising, sale, purchase, licensing, donation, supply, supply, supply, prescription, administration, supply or use of the vaccine ». Instead, the Dominican Republic must pay legal fees and compensation in the event of a problem. The Dominican Ministry of Health cannot limit the damages it would pay on behalf of Pfizer. The company rejected this logic.
« Pfizer has not intervened and has absolutely no intention of interfering in any country`s important diplomatic, military or cultural assets, » Castillo said. « To say otherwise is irresponsible and misleading. » At Pfizer, we use science and our global resources to provide people with therapies that significantly prolong and improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues in industrial and emerging markets work to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. In line with our responsibility as one of the world`s leading innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we work with healthcare providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable and affordable healthcare worldwide. For more than 150 years, we have been working to make a difference for everyone who relies on us. We regularly publish information that may be important to investors on our website in www.Pfizer.com. To learn more, visit us on www.Pfizer.com and follow us on Twitter at @Pfizer and @Pfizer News, LinkedIn, YouTube and like us on Facebook in Facebook.com/Pfizer. Pfizer has signed contracts with nine countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, but the terms of those agreements have been largely confidential until the office`s history. The Dominican Republic`s contract, obtained through an access to information request, shows that the company does not have to pay for claims for vaccine-related errors. European officials, who initially agreed to keep the contract secret, have now asked the company to make it public.
If this does not happen, there is no way to judge who is responsible. The contract with Brazil prohibits the government from making « any public announcement about the existence, subject matter or terms of the agreement » or commenting on its relationship with Pfizer without the company`s prior written consent. Almost all vaccine manufacturers have also told investors that they may not meet their goals. « We may not be able to create or increase production capacity in a timely manner, » Pfizer warned in a filing filed by the company last August. .