The Nigeria Network of NGOs says the exclusive control of COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments by “big” pharmaceutical companies continue to put the world at risk of the next deadly variant of the virus.

Executive Director, NNNGO, Oyebisi Oluseyi, made the assertion during a news conference on Friday in Lagos.

NNNGO made the call in collaboration with the Global Call to Action Against Poverty and the People’s Vaccine Alliance.

March 11 marks the beginning of the third year since the World Health Organisation formally declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

Oluseyi said that world leaders have the power to remove the monopoly of big pharmaceuticals on vaccines, tests and treatment and allow countries to produce life-saving medicines needed by their citizens.

According to him, there are over 100 facilities globally that can produce more vaccine doses if the monopoly of pharmaceuticals on these technologies was temporarily lifted and the recipes shared.

“Heading into our third year of the pandemic, billions of people worldwide still don’t have access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatment.

“Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies are recording profits of over one million dollars per hour.

“The lack of strong government action in the face of pharmaceutical monopoly greed is causing thousands of needless deaths each day,” he said.

He called on governments to deliver on long-awaited intellectual property waiver, compel pharmaceutical companies to share vaccine making know-how, and fund the production of regional vaccine and treatment production hubs.