Anutin rejects trans-Pacific trade pact, says not beneficial for public health

By The Nation

 

Anutin Charnvirakul

 

After meeting with the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) on Monday (April 27) to evaluate the effects the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will have on Thailand, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he was against it.

 

“I don’t agree with the pact and will present to the Cabinet on Tuesday the concerns that the Public Health Ministry has in relation to how the production of medicines, medical supplies and medical devices as well as the health of the Thai public will be affected by CPTPP. However, I cannot make predict on the Cabinet’s decision. But the ministry’s concerns, including the impact on the production of drugs, which is directly related to the Thai public’s health security, is important for the Cabinet’s consideration,” he said.

 

Anutin reportedly said at the meeting that exchanging people’s health for economic benefits and expansion of exports is not worth it. There is also no guarantee that Thailand will actually benefit from the CPTPP agreement.

 

So far, only 11 countries are members of the agreement and most of them are not major export markets. Current members of the pact are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

 

The minister also pointed out that international trade in medical supplies is changing and will change a great deal in the wake of the outbreak.

 

According to the GPO, the pact will have three major impacts on the medical industry:

 

1. Patents and drugs: The patenting of drugs is reduced, which opens the door to lawsuits. Also, the reduction of import price of drugs will not be beneficial, because Thailand will have to rely on imports and not be self-reliant in times of crisis.

 

2. Protection of new herb/plant varieties: The 20 to 25-year monopoly on plant species will restrict Thai farmers from planting indigenous seeds. This will also limit further research, affecting the mechanism of benefit-sharing in both microbial resources and protection of local plant species in Thailand.

 

3. Government procurement: Thailand will not be able to determine the value of medical supplies and what waivers can be applied. It will also affect the GPO’s efficacy, as it will not be able to take social action, such as providing medication, supplies and vaccines to the general public during crisis such as the current Covid-19 outbreak.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30386855

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-04-27

 

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4. Thailand will not be able to copy drugs.

 

5. Anutin was not promised a cut.

Well of course Anutin knows best,????????.

After all he is fully qualified to be health minister.????

China not on the list then?

18 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Anutin rejects trans-Pacific trade pact, says not beneficial for public health

Tomorrow's headline...........................

Trans-Pacific trade pact ideal for public health !

25 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Anutin rejects trans-Pacific trade pact, says not beneficial for public health

i like this  guy; in the words of mark cuban, american billionaire: 'we need to know who the morons are'

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

Anutin reportedly said at the meeting that exchanging people’s health for economic benefits and expansion of exports is not worth it. There is also no guarantee that Thailand will actually benefit from the CPTPP agreement.

 

1. Good luck with that.

2. Thailand doesn't need to benefit, the people at the top of Thailand need to benefit. The two things are not the same.

 

 

The only health he knows anything about is the 'health' of his Bank Balance !

Apparently being in that pact will make the cost of meds much higher. Between this & his push for CBD helps to make up for his mishaps

The first in the list of major impacts makes no sense at all.  However, Anutin is absolutely right on rejecting trade pact. Thailand has far more to lose than gain. Compulsory licensing of pharmaceuticals will be barred, which will prevent the production of essential medicines that are way overpriced or not available in Thailand at all. Medicines such as those for the treatment of HIV, which are now available in Thailand and not ridiculously expensive. 

 

Thailand already has trade agreements with all but two of the signatories and those two are not major trading partners. Too much to lose and so little to gain.    

1 hour ago, Valentine said:

Between this & his push for CBD helps to make up for his mishaps

But not very much.

 

Is this possibly the first correct decision that the racist xenophobe made since he sold out to the generals?

 

Looks like he is throwing in his lot with the People's Republic of China. To be expected I guess given Trump's America First policy. Chinese expats in Thailand will outnumber farang in the near future.

1 hour ago, zyphodb said:

Is this possibly the first correct decision that the racist xenophobe made since he sold out to the generals?

 

You don't seriously think it was his decision do you ?    I doubt he could decide what colour underpants to put on without help !

I like Anutin, everytime he speaks I feel so much more reassured about my intellect and my mental heath.

There for the grace of God go I.

Honestly where did they dig this character up from. Sack the grave diggers. They forgot the cement 

17 hours ago, expat1010 said:

Looks like he is throwing in his lot with the People's Republic of China. To be expected I guess given Trump's America First policy. Chinese expats in Thailand will outnumber farang in the near future.

Yes indeed, and not in the distant future either! Although gambling is officially illegal in Thailand, maybe approval will be given for hotel and casino complexes in Pattaya and/or on Phuket for the Chinese once borders re-open.

19 hours ago, zyphodb said:

Is this possibly the first correct decision that the racist xenophobe made since he sold out to the generals?

 

He is first and foremost a successful businessman and never even close to health expert by any stretch of the imagination.

21 hours ago, colinneil said:

Well of course Anutin knows best,????????.

After all he is fully qualified to be health minister.????

Everybody's right sometimes. It's his turn this time.

On 4/27/2020 at 12:41 PM, colinneil said:

Well of course Anutin knows best,????????.

After all he is fully qualified to be health minister.????

Lord, give him brain, but unfortunately you gave him open pockets and hands to be filled. ????