KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s trade policy could serve as a catalyst in addressing the increasing 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 encompasses policy formulation which provides 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,” he said.
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 by KRI managing director Datuk Charon Mokhzani.
Among those present were Universiti Malaya deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof Dr Noorsaadah Abd Rahman and its Law Faculty Dean Prof Dr Johan Shamsuddin Sabaruddin.
Junaidi said existing trade agreements between Malaysia and other countries were also 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.
He said trade policy was also able to promote or create accessibility to the education sector, especially in higher education.
Junaidi said the trade liberalisation in education, through the signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) with service provider countries, would expand such accessibility to the sector.
“It also helps to increase foreign direct investment (FDI) to the education sector in the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, Charon said the book aims to raise public awareness on the importance of international trade policies, their impact on the country’s economy and the lives of the people.