[e-drug] Health and 'commodities'

[Fawzia Rasheed <rasheedf@bluewin.ch>]

E-drug: Health and 'commodities'
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Dear Colleagues,

I need some help.

I have been asked to review some proposals intended for use by
some developing country governments. The subjects relate to
essential drugs, condoms and diagnostics. The word 'commodity'
has been used to cover such items. The phrase 'essential health
commodities' has been used to show that they are basic needs.

My concern is that the word 'commodity' may have trade connota-
tions and implications. Philosophically, my feeling is that life saving
drugs and diagnostics should not be reduced to 'commodities'.
More practically, I wonder whether we add to the problems we
already face with TRIPS by putting these items squarely in the trade
(regulatory) framework?

I have provided definitions relating to the word 'commodity' that I
have found below.

Your advice please. I have spoken to colleagues in WHO and
UNAIDS who note the recent introduction of the term in their own
fields of work. I imagine they would be interested in your feedback
too. For obvious reasons, feedback from trade delegates of
missions would be particularly valuable for my purposes.

Best wishes,

Fawzia Rasheed
Switzerland
E-mail: rasheedf@bluewin.ch


DEFINITIONS

Commodity: something used or valued esp. when regarded as an
article of commerce.

Commodity dollar: a unit of proposed form of currency whose gold
value is arbitrarily determined by and whose nominal gold content is
periodically adjusted to an index number reflecting market prices of
basic commodities.

Commodity exchange: an organized market where future delivery
contracts for graded commodities (as grains, cotton, sugar, coffee,
wool) are bought and sold.

Commodity paper: A common carrier rate distinguished from a class
rate an applicable only to a specific commodity or group of related
commodities carried between specific points or territories.

Commodity standard: A monetary standard in which the medium of
exchange consists of one or more economic goods.

Commodity tariff: a tariff containing only commodity rates and
related rules for transportation on a common carrier.

(Webster's Unabridged International Dictionary)


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