多角的貿易協定と保健衛生政策

Abstract

The Uruguary Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations resulted in the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in January 1995. Several multilateral trade agreements, which are integral part of the WTO Agreements, have considerable health repercussions, particularly in food safety, pharmaceutical market and trade in health services . The WTO agreements thus have potential to profoundly influence health policies of the member governments and the level of public health and welfare acchieved thereby . The analysis of the new trade environment has revealed differential public health impacts on developing and industrialized countries. Whilst the actual effects of the WTO agreements on developing countries have not yet been fully understood, these countries will soon have to comply with the entire range of the duties under the agreements as the agreed initial delay period expires. The creation of transnational markets for foods and drugs and the deregulation process of health services may be one of the policy options for governments in search of increased efficiency and productivity in health and social services. In the 21st century where further liberalization of trade and investment is expected to take effect, each government will be obliged to maintain its economic advantages by offering a more competitive and efficacious social security system.