Richa Chadha on joining The People’s Vaccine movement: Suspending patents is the least we can do

Richa Chadha

At a time when immunisation is our only hope to break free from the clutches of the pandemic, reports state that almost 87 per cent of the global vaccine supply has gone to wealthy countries. The glaring disparity has led to the birth of The People's Vaccine, a movement that urges pharmaceutical companies to suspend the patents on their Covid-19 vaccine while fighting for its equitable distribution all over the world. Thought leaders, including Pope Francis, the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Ratan Tata and George Clooney, have thrown their weight behind the movement. Closer home, Richa Chadha has joined the cause.

Dalai Lama, Ratan Tata and George Clooney

"I believe charging money for vaccines will deter many, and make the vaccine less accessible. We must [inoculate] our entire population or the virus will keep mutating and rendering the existing vaccines irrelevant," says Chadha. The actor, known to speak her mind, emphasises that pharmaceutical companies must rise above creating monopoly to focus on the safety of people the world over. "Suspending the patents is the least we can do. Through this petition, we need to build public pressure for the change to occur." She urges fans to rally behind the cause as it can "positively impact the lives of millions of Indians."

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