Trade policies and rules should guarantee all people access to “essential services,” including the access to health care, essential medicines, education, water and basic utilities. International trade rules should advance the common good and be evaluated in light of their impact on those who are most vulnerable. They should respect the legitimate role of government, in collaboration with civil society, to set policies regarding the development and welfare of its people.

Problems with the Current System:

Patents: The patenting of essential medicines contributes very little to the actual research and development for neglected diseases—diseases that overwhelmingly affect the poor--in fact, patents create barriers for poor people in accessing drugs. For example, although 3-4 million people living with HIV/AIDS are considered clinically eligible to take anti-retroviral medication in Africa today, only 50,000 have access to these life-extending medications. They remain out of reach because prices are too high and countries are reluctant to utilize legal tools to obtain the best priced medicines for fear of trade retaliation by wealthier countries.

Privatization: More and more, countries are urged to privatize essential services: basic utilities like electricity and water—even education and health care. The focus then becomes “profit,” not “access to all.” Although public services are often strained in their ability to provide for the general population, privatization improves service for clients who can pay, thereby, shutting out the poorest clients who are often in the most need of care and services. User fees are often required to attend school in local communities, thereby having a detrimental effect on school attendance and literacy rates.

We envision: Trade and investment policies that enhance the well being of people. Trade and investment policies should assist societies to meet social needs, such as health and education.