Researchers call for technology pact to fight outbreaks

Pandemic countermeasures should be classified and funded as “common goods”, paper argues

Scientists from around the world have called for a more equitable approach to researching, developing and manufacturing vaccines, medicines and other tools to curb epidemics.

Writing in The Lancet Global Health on 28 August, they argue that sharing technology and know-how needs to be at the core of pandemic preparedness plans, or risk leaving behind people who live in developing regions of the world.