The struggle for affordable medicines
India, which amended its patent laws for TRIPS-compliance in 2005, introduced a clause to ensure that pharmaceuticals did not block the entry of low-cost generic drugs. A year ago this clause blocked Novartis' patent application for its anti-cancer drug Gleevec. Now, in a major case that will have a profound effect on the affordability of essential medicines in India, Novartis is challenging this unique Indian provision
A brief history of the WTO
The principle of non-discrimination was meant to be the cornerstone of the World Trade Organisation and the multilateral trading regime. But ten years down the line, it is clear that the trade rules favour developed countries, and the promise of greater market access for developing countries has not been sufficiently realised
Can multilateral trade work for the poor?
Protectionism, self-reliance and village republics are not enough to lift 1.3 billion of the world’s poor out of absolute poverty. There is sufficient empirical evidence to demonstrate that trade can be a powerful catalyst for poverty reduction, that free trade with fairer policies will benefit the world's poor more than aid or charity. The problem is that World Trade Organisation negotiations and global trade are far from free and fair, with the balance skewed in favour of powerful trading blocs like the US and EU and against poorer nations
WTO negotiations and India's stand: Agriculture, NAMA and services
From India's perspective it would be most crucial during the Doha negotiations to protect the interests of its farmers, even at the cost of foregoing benefits that might have otherwise been made in services and NAMA negotiations
Trade on human terms
The first Asia-Pacific Human Development Report 2006 is a timely reminder that the hosannas to globalisation may be slightly out of tune: economic growth is not a magic mantra for development and poverty reduction
The MDGs and the free trade mantra
The Millennium Development Goals address targets and percentages without relating these to the effect of structural inequalities, denial of social justice, economic inequities and the imposition of adverse policies. How then can the MDGs usher in a just new world order?
Building a global partnership for development
Goal 8 of the MDGs is about building a global partnership for development, an external economic environment that is favourable for development. From this perspective, the prevention of development-distorting rules, measures, policies and approaches should be the overriding concern of the WTO
Protection for the rich; free play of market forces for the poor
The most striking aspect of the farming crisis in India is that its severity is directly proportionate to the degree of integration with international trade and global markets
Subsidising suicides
Cotton has become a symbol of the inequities and distortions of global trade, demonstrating how agricultural subsidies in developed countries devastate farmers in developing countries
Marginalising the marginalised
The WTO erodes women's right not only to the security of a regular meal, but also involvement in decision-making around food production and agricultural development
Huligamma and Big Mac
Does trade liberalisation affect investments in children's health and education? There is growing evidence that children from families denied livelihood security, and deprived of the most basic social benefits, are forced into child labour and a precarious existence in urban centres
More media, less democracy
This article explores the implications of attempts by the World Trade Organisation to include audiovisual media, especially broadcast programmes, into the General Agreement in Trade and Services (GATS) and thereby promote international free trade in audiovisual services
What do women stand to gain from trade?
Trade, trade and more trade. That seems to be the winning formula for economic success. But what does it mean for women in the East African region? How are their interests reflected in trading activities?
