WHO to launch initiative to share COVID-19 drugs, tests and vaccines -statement

The World Health Organization (WHO) said it would announce a "landmark collaboration" on Friday to speed development, production, and the use of safe, effective drugs, tests, and vaccines to prevent, diagnose and treat COVID-19.

In a brief statement issued on Thursday, the Geneva-based agency said the initiative being announced with partners aims to make technologies against the disease "accessible to everyone who needs them, worldwide", but gave no details.

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on April 6 that he planned to announce an initiative to accelerate the research, development, and production of vaccines and also design mechanisms for equitable distribution.