Free Trade’s Bitter Pill
U.S. trade agreements are endangering public health systems in developing countries by driving up the cost of lifesaving drugs, according to a new study by the British relief agency Oxfam.
U.S. trade agreements are endangering public health systems in developing countries by driving up the cost of lifesaving drugs, according to a new study by the British relief agency Oxfam.
Dig, Root, GrowReuters via Yahoo:
Strong intellectual property protections in U.S. free trade deals have hurt developing countries, pushing up drug prices in Jordan by 20 percent, an aid advocacy group said in a report released on Tuesday.
Beefed-up property rights for drug makers, which have been built into U.S. free trade deals like the one with Jordan, “will make it harder and harder to sustain public health systems,” said Rohit Malpani, a trade analyst with the advocacy group Oxfam in Washington.
U.S. trade officials disputed the report’s findings, saying the trade agreements fairly balanced intellectual property protections and health care needs.
The Oxfam report found that drug prices in Jordan have increased by 20 percent since 2001, when the bilateral deal with the United States was implemented, and are up to six times higher than comparable drug prices in Egypt.
This year, we’re all on shaky ground, and the need for independent journalism has never been greater. A new administration is openly attacking free press — and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Your support is more than a donation. It helps us dig deeper into hidden truths, root out corruption and misinformation, and grow an informed, resilient community.
Independent journalism like Truthdig doesn't just report the news — it helps cultivate a better future.
Your tax-deductible gift powers fearless reporting and uncompromising analysis. Together, we can protect democracy and expose the stories that must be told.
Dig. Root. Grow. Cultivate a better future.
Donate today.
Book Excerpt
In 2019, more than 500,000 Americans were arrested for cannabis-related charges, the vast majority for simple possession.
TD Original
Veterans who trusted MAPS with their trauma have made allegations of manipulation and deceit.
Americas
Narco-messages are fairly common, and just as often, not sincere.
Opinion
From psychedelic pharma executives endorsing non-consensual dosing, to a major advocacy group failing to acquire informed consent from trial participants, there is evidence of a serious lack of understanding of consent in the psychedelics industry.
Military
The notion of psychedelic treatment as a “reset” for the brain has become exceedingly popular, but the expectations instilled by this type of language can be harmful to patients.
Military
In recent years, active-duty Marines have taken an apparent interest in using LSD.
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.