Challenges to the Implementation of the TRIPS Agreement and Right to Health in Tanzania

Abstract

The objective of the study was to examine the extent to which the Government of Tanzania overcomes the challenges to the implementation of TRIPS Agreement and right to health in Tanzania. The research question was: To what extent did the government of Tanzania overcome the challenges to the implementation of TRIPS Agreement and Right to health in Tanzania ? This study was conducted in the United Republic of Tanzania in Dar Es Salaam. The justification for the study was that few studies have been done in this geographical area regarding challenges facing the government of Tanzania in implementation of TRIPs with focus on health rights. Theoretical perspectives in social work guided this study. The sampling procedures used were simple random sampling and purposive sampling. The sample comprised 40 respondents: 10 public officials, 15 pharmaceutical officials and 15 pharmaceutical key personnel respectively. The study was mainly qualitative although quantitative data were also collected. Methods of data collection were in depth interviews, questionnaires and documentary reviews. The findings indicated that most of the respondents said that the government of Tanzania was not doing enough to implement TRIPs agreement. The findings also showed that the vast majority of people said that TRIPs agreement had benefit in health arena. The findings also showed that the country faced a lot of challenges to implement the TRIPs agreement.