system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Are Vaccines owned by company’s? Can anyone access the how-to and produce a vaccine in a lab?

Thank you!
gpt
It depends on the vaccine. 

Generally Pharma companies take out a patent on their drugs (including vaccines). The patent grants them the exclusive right to manufacture it for 20 years (at least in the US). 

The patent includes all the detailed information about the drug, including its chemical composition. As a result, how it’s made is no secret - but it’s illegal to do so without the patent holders permission. 

“Generics” are typically just drugs who’s patents have expired and are able to be made by any company (usually with a small inconsequential variation). This drives prices down for the drug across the board.