HEALTH campaigners today accused the United States and the European Union of double standards on preparations for the next pandemic, warning that their conduct threatens to “undermine the safety of all humanity in the next health crisis.”

The intervention comes as the world marks four years since the Worlds Health Organisation (WHO) declared Covid-19 a pandemic. 

In that time, rich countries have blocked a proposal to waive intellectual property rules on Covid-19 vaccines, tests, and treatments, despite widespread support from low- and middle-income countries, health and trade experts, and civil society organisations.