Fears of a foreign attack on British pandemic medicines ahead of a planned World Health Organization treaty

Britain should be able to transfer a fifth of its vaccines and medicines in a future pandemic under a World Health Organization treaty due to be ratified next month.

Britain was among countries to announce plans in March 2021 for an agreement that would bind states in tackling global health emergencies.

The plan was criticized for removing sovereign powers, raising fears that Britain would hand its control over pandemic policy to unelected health officials in Geneva.

A final draft of the treaty, released earlier this month, has been significantly slimmed down.

But the remaining conditions mean Britain would have to give up 20 percent of “pandemic-related health products” and would be banned from stockpiling.

But the remaining conditions mean Britain would have to give up 20 percent of ‘pandemic-related health products’ and would not be allowed to stockpile any more (Stock Photo)

The updated document says that countries should “at least… in the event of a pandemic, provide real-time access by WHO to 20 percent (10 percent as donation and 10 percent at affordable prices to WHO) of the production of safe , efficient and effective pandemic-related health products”. It adds that members should “set aside some medicines or vaccines in a timely manner for use in countries experiencing problems.”

The wording has raised concerns that vaccines could be taken from where they are most needed and sent to areas not at risk, while other countries could receive UK-made jabs for the British public.

Dr. David Bell, a former WHO medical officer, told The Daily Telegraph: ‘The problem is that it is not related to necessity. It seems like a sign.

‘Covid-19, for example, has hardly been a problem in sub-Saharan South Africa, as less than 1 percent of the population is over 75, half is under 20 and rates of metabolic disease are low.

“It is unclear to me why this is in a treaty, as it is a general principle that is already followed and is best addressed on a case-by-case basis.” Britain was one of the first countries to develop and roll out a Covid vaccine, but came under fire for holding onto its supplies until it had a large surplus.

It also offered a second dose to Britons before some poorer countries had received a first dose.

Britain ultimately gave away 100 million doses, including the AstraZeneca jab developed in Oxford, but the country may be forced to give up even more doses, at an earlier stage in the future.

Britain ultimately gave away 100 million doses of the Covid vaccine, including the AstraZeneca jab developed in Oxford (pictured), but the country may have to give up more, at an earlier stage in the future.

The 194 member states of the WHO will vote on the treaty next month. But sticking points between countries over vaccines could lead to parts of the deal being postponed until 2026.

Dr. Clare Wenham, associate professor of global health policy at the London School of Economics, said: “The current state of negotiations is anyone’s guess.”