Biotech companies (Moderna, Cure Vac, Novavax and BioNTech) and pharmacy giants (Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Jonhson & Jonhson, Sanofi and GSK) are part of the capitalism that seeks the business and do not care about the inequality they generate.

These four major biotechnology companies, according to Bloomblerge estimates, have spent $1.205 billion in 2020, but will have benefits of €12 billion over the next two years: 6.035 million in 2021 and 5.970 million in 2022. The above pharmaceutical companies, for their part, will increase their sales by some $24.750 million, according to the data provided. Only AstraZeneca estimates that in 2022 it will have a profit of EUR 7 billion. Excellent business.

These companies have received hundreds of millions of euros from the Government of the United States and the European Union, both in direct aid to vaccine research and development and through supply contracts. It is estimated that research has been financed around $5 billion, according to various estimates.

Consequently, throughout the pandemic it would be logical, just and necessary for governments to take steps to remove patents and thus prioritize public health over commercial interests. India, South Africa and a hundred other countries have already requested the World Trade Organization to withdraw patents related to COVID-19 products.

If we want to ensure equality between people and countries and get vaccines at the same time, we should start out there. Vaccines should be developed, produced and provided worldwide as public goods in the world. Capitalism, however, is present.