The Political Economy of the Pharmaceutical Sector in India, Brazil, South Africa and Kenya

Session Organizer:
Nitsan Chorev
Friday, June 24, 2016: 2:30 PM-4:00 PM
830 Barrows (Barrows Hall)
The pharmraceutical sector is of special interest to scholars and policy-makers alike, because of its dual nature as a potential tool for both industrial and social development. This panel addresses various questions that emerge in regard to the pharmceutical sector, particularly in middle- and low-income countries. Why is it that a state capabile of triggering a successful pharmaceutical industry fails in delivering those medical products to its population? Can the pharmaceutical sector avoid rent seeking? What effect do international regulations, such as Secondary Pharmaceuitcal Patents, have on the development of pharmaceutical companies? What effect does foreign aid have on the ability of pharmaceuitcal firms to upgrade their quality standards? While some of our explorations are unique to the pharmaceutical sector, our insights apply widely to considerations regarding both industrial and social issues.
Healthy Industries and Unhealthy Populations: Lessons from Indian Problem-Solving
Smita Srinivas, Indian Institute for Human Settlements