EN
The Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has exposed significant weaknesses in many countries in terms of preparedness to deal with a completely new type of public health threat. Difficulties and delays in the supply of COVID-19 vaccines have drawn public attention to the leading role played by transnational corporations in access to medicinal products. The authors consider these problems against the background of the concept of epidemiological solidarity and the legal framework for the protection of intellectual property in the World Trade Organization. In this context, they point out the key role of human rights as an instrument to prevent the abuse of intellectual property rights.