Regulatory Flexibilities and Tensions in Public Health and Trade -- An Asian Perspective

Asian Journal of WTO & International Health Law and Policy, Vol. 10:157, 2015

35 Pages Posted: 30 Apr 2015

See all articles by Locknie Hsu

Locknie Hsu

Singapore Management University - Yong Pung How School of Law

Date Written: March 30, 2015

Abstract

Regulatory issues relating to public health are a source of tensions in recent trade and investment negotiations, treaties and disputes. Issues arising from the intersection between public health regulation and trade and investment treaties have given Asian states pause for thought. They have led to a critical need to confront the scope and meaning of legal obligations vis-à-vis public health and regulatory objectives, and their implications for stakeholder interests. The intersection and resulting tensions have already led the WTO, WHO and WIPO to work together in an unprecedented manner to address some of the issues at the global level. The laws evolving around these issues are demonstrating a notable divergence. As an example, the debate on access to medicines demonstrates divergent approaches to solutions. This paper examines the reasons behind legal and policy divergences in public health issues in the context of treaty obligations, with examples from Asia, and suggests that a convergence of purpose(s) is needed for a convergence of solutions to be found, in order to deal with such tensions.

Keywords: trade, investment, public health, TRIPS, flexibilities, medicines, FTAs, BITs

Suggested Citation

Hsu, Locknie, Regulatory Flexibilities and Tensions in Public Health and Trade -- An Asian Perspective (March 30, 2015). Asian Journal of WTO & International Health Law and Policy, Vol. 10:157, 2015, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2600038

Locknie Hsu (Contact Author)

Singapore Management University - Yong Pung How School of Law ( email )

55 Armenian Street
Singapore, 179943
Singapore

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