Global health in foreign policy--and foreign policy in health? Evidence from the BRICS

Abstract

Amidst the growing literature on global health, much has been written recently about the Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) countries and their involvement and potential impact in global health, particularly in relation to development assistance. Rather less has been said about countries' motivations for involvement in global health negotiations, and there is a notable absence of evidence when their motivations are speculated on. This article uses an existing framework linking engagement in global health to foreign policy to explore differing levels of engagement by BRICS countries in the global health arena, with a particular focus on access to medicines. It concludes that countries' differing and complex motivations reinforce the need for realistic, pragmatic approaches to global health debates and their analysis. It also underlines that these analyses should be informed by analysis from other areas of foreign policy.

BRICS’ contributions to the global health agenda

“…They are, for example, jointly promoting access to affordable, safe and efficacious medical products of high quality through the use of the WTO's Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. 4 They are also emphasizing the importance of technology transfer as a way to empower developing countries through international cooperation -and have underlined the need to establish a BRICS network of technological cooperation. While a focus on trade agreements could have a beneficial impact on the health of millions of individuals in the developing world, such agreements are vulnerable to political conflicts, international disputes and the often conflicting interests of transnational drivers such as the tobacco and food industries.…”

The key role of the leading emerging BRIC markets in the future of global health care

“…Most major market analysis agencies have recognised this development (17) and thus have urged multinational healthcare companies based in the West to focus on emerging markets, and BRICs in particular, if they want to survive. Moreover, emerging markets will remain the key to sustainability and long-term profits for pharmaceutical firms and medical equipment manufacturers across the globe for many years to come (18). Note that this forewarning applies not only to pharmaceutical companies but also to firms involved in laboratory assays, diagnostic imaging, implants, surgical equipment, orthopaedics and dental products (19).…”

BRICS’ role in global health and the promotion of universal health coverage: the debate continues

“…The BRICS countries vary greatly in terms of their burdens of disease, health systems, interests in the global pharmaceutical trade, engagement in the international arena and much else. 3 While the health ministers of these five nations have metand continue to meet and share concerns -on a regular basis, the resultant declarations and communiqués appear to have had little real impact on any global health policy. There are several reasons for BRICS' increasing prominence in the global health discourse despite this lack of impact.…”