Martin Alilio et al | 08 Oct 2023 | American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Seven years ago, the removal of taxes and tariffs on insecticide treated nets (ITNs) was considered one of the easiest resolutions for most countries to implement among the targets agreed upon at the African Summit on Roll Back Malaria in Abuja, Nigeria, on April 25, 2000. However, seven years later, 24 of the 39 Abuja signatories continue to impose taxes and tariffs on this life-saving tool. Taxes and tariffs significantly increase the price of an insecticide treated net, reduce affordability, and discourage the commercial sector from importing insecticide treated net products. Consequently, Roll Back Malaria partners are engaged in advocacy efforts to remove taxes and tariffs on insecticide treated nets in malaria-endemic countries of Africa. This viewpoint summarizes key obstacles to the removal of taxes and tariffs that have been identified through a review of country situations. To achieve the goal of producing and supplying more than 160 million insecticide treated nets needed to reach the revised Roll Back Malaria Partnership targets by 2010, tax and tariff reforms are urgently needed. Such reforms must be accompanied by country-specific systems to protect the poor (e.g., through voucher systems for vulnerable groups and other forms of targeted subsidies).
Roger Bate et al | 04 Aug 2023 | American Enterprise Institute
AEI and AFM collaborate on a study investigating the incidence of corruption and import tariffs on medicines and the impact on access to medicines in poor countries.
Roger Bate & Richard Tren | 13 Feb 2024 | American Enterprise Institute
Roger Bate and Richard Tren discuss the recent World Trade Organization agreement on TRIPS and public health, and recommend that its focus on removing import tariffs on medicines and medical devices.
Roger Bate et al | 01 Feb 2024 | AEI-Brookings Joint Center
This paper examines the role that tariffs, domestic taxes, and regulatory requirements pose on access to essential drugs, vaccines and devices for the diseases that afflict the developing world.