The Covid-19 pandemic has illustrated the importance of global trade for access to all kinds of medical supplies, with many jurisdictions suffering shortages of essential medical goods as a result of various trade barriers.
At the 73rd World Health Assembly earlier this week, public health officials from dozens of countries gathered — virtually, of course — to discuss strategies to defeat COVID-19.
Many countries have long recognized the absurdity of medicine tariffs, yet many countries persist with them
Pharmaceutical tariffs could be a barrier to access to medicines. This Working Paper looks at current levels of vaccine and pharmaceutical tariffs worldwide, and examines trade flows amongst the biggest exporting and importing nations.