Trade policies impact many issues, including NCD
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s trade policy could serve as a catalyst in addressing the growing number of non-communicable disease (NCD) cases here.
Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) director of research Junaidi Mansor said a healthy lifestyle could be practised by the people if the government implemented a balanced trade policy towards NCD contributors.
He said this encompassed policy formulation which provided health incentives, control of promotional and market rules, and direct legislation.
“Apart from promoting healthy lifestyles and practices, trade policies are able to curb smoking, reduce alcohol consumption and check an unbalanced diet.
“For example, this includes the implementation of taxes, as well as prohibiting or limiting the advertisements of alcohol and tobacco products in Malaysia.”
Junaidi was speaking at the launch of KRI’s book titled Why Trade Matters: Trade Issues in Non-Communicable Diseases, Essential Medicines and Education at Universiti Malaya (UM) by KRI managing director Datuk Charon Mokhzani.
Present were UM deputy vicechancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Dr Noorsaadah Abd Rahman and its Law Faculty dean Professor Dr Johan Shamsuddin Sabaruddin.
Junaidi said existing trade agreements between Malaysia and other countries were able to give impact to the accessibility and capability of buying essential medicines.
“The production of medical items has become more complex as it relates to intellectual property rights (IPRs), which are the core business of pharmaceutical companies.
“Therefore, Malaysia cannot simply market the production of medical items from research and development of any pharmaceutical company as each product has its own IPR.”
He said trade policy was also able to promote or create accessibility to the education sector, especially in higher education.
Charon said the book aimed to raise public awareness on the importance of international trade policies, their impact on the country’s economy and the lives of the people.