Topic: Insuring Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals
Country: Palestine
Delegate Name: Anastasia Cavazos
School: Flint Southwestern Classical Academy
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Palestine position papers GLIMUN 2012 committees
The report of the Pharmaceutical Industry in the Palestinian Authority reveals ways in which Israel’s annexation of Palestinian lands has made it possible to exploit the current Palestinian market. Palestinians depend on Israeli policies, custom laws, and services for the import and export of goods (pharmaceuticals). Being that the annexation has affected the pricing situation, it is relevant to try and help the current struggle in affording pharmaceuticals.
The import of drugs to the Gaza Strip and West Bank can only include drugs that are registered in Israel. The only registered drugs in Israel are mainly imported from the EU, North America and Australia. The drugs are non-generic and definitely not cheap. Prior to the 1967 war, cheaper and more generic drugs were imported from foreign companies via importers in Amman, Jordan. When the war was over, the borders with Jordan were closed therefore, preventing the importation of any drug products from Jordan. Palestine is open to receiving donations; however the donations sometimes reach their expiration date by the time they reach their destination. We believe that our lives have been much more difficult since the annexation. We shouldn't have to pay for expensive pharmaceuticals when the generic ones we had prior to the war were just as efficient and much cheaper. Not only that but it's safe to say that the Israeli Blockade has made it much more difficult for us to afford medication, food and water thus, making the health complication an endless circle. While we may be under partial “control” of Israel, we can honestly say that we have tried to maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, do you find it possible to live a healthy lifestyle when we can't afford any of the medication being offered? Most of us are accustomed to being able to afford our medication therefore; we have never been without it.
We propose that the United Nations convince the current Pharmaceutical manufacturers (Teva, Perrigo Israel- formerly Agis, Taro, and Dexcel Pharma etc.) to make cheaper, possibly more natural, generic drugs. These drugs can be imported and exported without being denied access by Israel. The burden of annual licensing of imported raw materials, the back to back deliveries, shipping in bulk through Jordan, and the exclusion of nearby Arab markets can all be less beneficial to the Palestinian Pharmaceutical Industry. It would allow Palestinians to live a healthy lifestyle, and afford their medication. Let's not make what's humanly right a serious issue in the Palestinian Authority.
