Thank you, Secretary Becerra for bringing us together today, and for your leadership.
Let me begin by thanking you for your announcement that the NIH will offer several technologies to C-TAP for potential licensing through the Medicines Patent Pool.
This is a strong example of innovation and collaboration coming together to expand access.
Any step that expands access to tools that can save lives is welcome, and takes us one step closer to ending COVID-19 as a global health emergency.
Although the severe constraints in vaccine supply that we faced last year have now eased, we still have a long road ahead to reach our target of vaccinating 70% of the population of every country.
And although vaccines are essential, to bring the pandemic under control everywhere, we also need to ensure access to tests and treatments.
Unfortunately, the disparity in access to testing is even greater than for vaccines.
This lack of testing and sequencing imperils global health security, leaving us blind to the evolution of the virus, and vulnerable to the emergence of new variants.
The same is true for therapeutics.
Since the last time we met, there has been exciting news about new outpatient therapies for COVID-19.
However, as it was with vaccines, the supply of these new antivirals is being eaten up by high-income countries with the highest vaccination rates.
The priority should be low-income countries with the lowest coverage and the most vulnerable populations.
We seek the support of all countries to secure 50% of the supply of these antivirals for low-and middle-income countries that make up 50% of the world’s population.
If we can achieve equitable access to vaccines, tests and treatments, we can end COVID-19 as a global health emergency, and we can do it this year.
Thank you.