ABSTRACT
The impact of for-profit pharmaceutical firms and charitable organizations on world health policy has been made clear by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite criticism from poor nations and rising opposition from influential players in wealthy countries, private actors have been able to uphold the norm of intellectual property rights. This article looks at how private actors have used their financial resources, subject matter expertise, and discursive influence to defy government directives. In order to lessen biased public health outcomes, it explores the effects of their expanding influence on global governance on public health and makes some policy suggestions. During the COVID-19 epidemic, private businesses and charitable groups have been instrumental in advancing intellectual property rights. Private actors are better positioned to influence public opinion and the global health agenda thanks to their massive monetary resources, capacity for rapid mobilization, state-of-the-art technological know-how, and public relations prowess that far outpace public health institutions. Without adequate checks and balances, the rising power of private players not only results in the for-profit corporations serving as the primary norm-setters in the global health ecosystem, but it also increases inequalities across nations.