Utilising Public Health Flexibilities in the Era of COVID-19: An Analysis of Intellectual Property Regulation in the OAPI and MENA Regions

50 Pages Posted: 22 Mar 2023

See all articles by Yousuf A. Vawda

Yousuf A. Vawda

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Bonginkosi Shozi

Institute for Practical Ethics; University of KwaZulu-Natal

Date Written: November 2021

Abstract

The paper explores the unique approaches to IP protection in the countries belonging to the Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle/African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions; the limited extent to which legal and policy frameworks with regard to TRIPS flexibilities have been adopted and implemented in pursuit of access to medicines in those countries; and makes recommendations in order to optimise the use of the flexibilities in advancing public health objectives. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of IP rights on access, and some approaches to countering the challenges to access are also discussed.

Keywords: Access to Medicines, African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), Bangui Agreement, Bolar, Compulsory Licenses, COVID-19, Flexibilities, Government Use, Health, Intellectual Property, LDC Transition Period, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Parallel Imports, Patent, Patent Examination, Pate

Suggested Citation

Centre, South and Vawda, Yousuf A. and Shozi, Bonginkosi, Utilising Public Health Flexibilities in the Era of COVID-19: An Analysis of Intellectual Property Regulation in the OAPI and MENA Regions (November 2021). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4082955 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4082955

Yousuf A. Vawda (Contact Author)

University of KwaZulu-Natal ( email )

Umbilo Road
Durban 4000, KZN 4000
South Africa

Bonginkosi Shozi

Institute for Practical Ethics ( email )

9500 Gilman Drive
Mail Code 0502
La Jolla, CA 92093-0112
United States

University of KwaZulu-Natal ( email )

238 Mazisi Kunene Road
Glenwood
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal 4041
South Africa

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