Opinion Articles

15 Jul 2001 - 12:00de la mañana

With such institutional frameworks as the Latin American countries now have, many are afraid of competition; they lack self-esteem and would rather restrict competition to the regional arena. As far as institutional competition is concerned, Latin America, cannot compete at the world level. So the real question is: when will Latin America have an institutional framework that allows it to compete with the best? Until it reforms its institutions, Latin America will not move beyond the qualifying games.

15 Jul 2001 - 12:00de la mañana

If compulsory licensing is retained as a response to perceptions about market failure, it is necessary also to recognise the costs of state failure. As of now, the Uruguay Round agreement permits too much discretion to governments on compulsory licensing, with 'public interest' a deliciously vague expression. As a second-best solution, this needs to be disciplined. The powers granted for public non-commercial use are too broad and there are no guidelines on compensation and royalty payments. While the TRIPS agreement lays down a framework, it is unrealistic to expect that everything should be laid down in such an agreement. However, too much discretion is also undesirable as it leads to arbitrariness. If there is one lesson that emerges from the development experience of developing countries, it is that the costs of arbitrary government decision-making can be devastating. The market is inherently superior. While this is a message that extends to all sectors, it is particularly true of the pharmaceutical sector. Hence a review of TRIPS is in order.

14 Jul 2001 - 12:00de la mañana

In this paper, a group of experts from around the world contradict the claim that compulsory licensing of 'essential' medicines will benefit the world's poor. They point out that patents and other forms of intellectual property are an essential component in economic development. Interfering with intellectual property by compulsory licensing or price controls will undermine investments and cause more harm than good. They call instead for stronger protection of intellectual property globally.

21 Jun 2001 - 12:00de la mañana

" Intellectual-property rights are not just for the rich world. Carefully constructed, they can help the poorest too."

20 Jun 2001 - 12:00de la mañana

"It does seem paradoxical -- nay, tragic -- that the world may end up spending tens of billions of dollars annually to provide painful, only moderately successful treatment to prolong life, while not making millions of people healthy from curable diseases like malaria for only a few billion. In these days of emotional politics, perhaps the rich world will only spend money on diseases with which it has some familiarity..."

18 Jun 2001 - 12:00de la mañana

On Monday 18th June, Professor Philip Stott of London University, SOAS, will speak at the IEA about 'The European Myth of Global Warming'.

14 Jun 2001 - 12:00de la mañana

"If we were to listen to Europe's energy Cassandras and implement the Kyoto protocol, any reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions would simply be offset by an increase in poor countries' emissions. The cost in terms of reduced economic output will mean reduced consumption everywhere ó leading to global impoverishment, unemployment, and misery. However, European governments have already committed themselves to the foregone conclusion of perilous climate change and, consequently, the need for international action, i.e., the Kyoto Protocol. Backing down now would open these statesmen up to ridicule..."

13 Jun 2001 - 12:00de la mañana

It does seem paradoxical -- nay, tragic -- that the world may end up spending tens of billions of dollars annually to provide painful, only moderately successful treatment to prolong life, while not making millions of people healthy from curable diseases like malaria for only a few billion. In these days of emotional politics, perhaps the rich world will only spend money on diseases with which it has some familiarity.

22 Mayo 2001 - 12:00de la mañana

Malaria and the DDT Story provides an insight into the history of DDT's use to control malaria and the politics surrounding its use. Key points are:

Malaria has long plagued mankind, and was only brought under control with the development of medical and chemical technologies in the 20th century.
A worldwide campaign to eradicate malaria with DDT spraying programmes after World War II nearly eliminated the disease in many poor countries.
Environmental fears lead to the banning of DDT in wealthy countries.
Donor agencies and environmental groups from wealthy countries then pressured poor country governments to stop using DDT for malaria control.
When used to control malarial mosquitoes, DDT has no observable effects on human health and its effects on the environment are negligible.
Partly because of restrictions on the use of DDT, malaria rates are now increasing in poor countries.
DDT spraying remains the most cost-effective solution for poor countries to prevent mal