As we have grappled with death and despair for over 12 months, and have at the same time seen acts of selflessness and caring, we also watch helplessly as the Capitalist machine develops competitive markets racheting up the profitability of the life saving medicines and vaccines. Those on the inside have their shares safe and sit back to watch as Big Pharma esnure their patents are safely protected. Requests that these are released so the these can be manufactured more widely are fiercely resisted by Big Pharma and supported by leading politicians. Vaccine equity is essential if the Covid virus is to be fought in all its guises as it mutates and is able to spread more rapidly. A plea has been made by the World Heath Organisation.
Where politicians, including President Joe Biden, have added their voices there has been a sharp response of fury from the pharmaceutical industry.