CUTS-ISID Panel Discussion on World Competition Day 2023

CUTS International and ISID organized a Policy Roundtable on “Regulatory Deficit in Access to Equitable Healthcare” on December 05, 2023. The roundtable focused on the significance of optimal regulation and competition in various segments of healthcare for fair and affordable access to equitable healthcare services. Mr Navneet Sharma, Director General, CUTS Institute for Regulation and Competition, delivered the welcome address. The discussion was chaired and moderated by Prof Nagesh Kumar, Director, ISID, and the panel comprised Mr Augustine Peter, Head, AP Regulatory Law Practise and former member, Competition Commission of India; Prof Arpita Mukherjee, Professor, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, New Delhi; Mr Kiran N Meetarbhan, Director, CUTS International, and former CEO, Mauritius Competition Commission; Dr Parlok Gupta, Assistant Professor, Centre for WTO Studies, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade; and Dr Reji Joseph, Associate Professor, ISID.

Background

Since 2010, CUTS International has championed the cause of World Competition Day (WCD) on December 5. This endeavour aims to raise widespread awareness about the merits of robust competition regulations on a global scale. By highlighting the potential benefits of well- executed competition frameworks, the initiative strives to empower consumers worldwide. It actively encourages consumer involvement in nurturing effective competition policies globally, emphasising the substantial advantages that these systems can bring.

On December 5, 1980, the United Nations Conference on Restrictive Business Practices sanctioned the UN Set of Multilaterally Agreed Equitable Principles and Rules for the Control of Restrictive Business Practices. Recognizing the significance of this date, the International Network of Civil Society Organisations on Competition (INCSOC) initiated the World Competition Day (WCD) on December 5, 2010. The decision was spurred by substantial support and engagement from diverse competition agencies and stakeholders, signifying a crucial milestone in advocating for heightened global awareness and proactive measures regarding competition policies.

The designated theme for 2023 is ‘Prioritising Socially Sensitive Sectors.’

In alignment with the aforementioned theme, CUTS International and CUTS Institute for Regulation & Competition (CIRC) is hosting a Panel Discussion on “Regulatory Deficit in Access to Equitable Healthcare” in collaboration with the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development (ISID) to commemorate WCD 2023. The event is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM at the ISID premises.

Equitable Access to Healthcare

The healthcare sector stands as a cornerstone of society and serves as a significant indicator of economic progress when considering prioritising socially sensitive sectors. Access to healthcare services has always been a complex issue that demands careful assessment. Since the advent of post-COVID-19 times, there has been a call for increased focus by the policymakers towards pharmaceuticals, private-public healthcare, medical insurance, and education, particularly in the global south, primarily composed of developing nations.

While the world seems to have overcome the initial crisis of the pandemic, the threat to human life persists, emphasising the crucial need for accessible, quality, and affordable healthcare services in all countries. The lessons drawn from this unprecedented global health crisis highlights the urgency for governments to address existing healthcare system deficiencies in the nations of the global south to better prepare for any future health-related emergencies.

Additionally, attention should be directed towards understanding the substantial repercussions of regulatory deficiencies and importance of a competitive markets. Against this backdrop, the panel will discuss the significance of optimal regulation and competition in various segments of healthcare and pharmaceuticals sectors, and such an approach can enhance access and affordability. This exploration aims at ensuring fair and affordable access to equitable healthcare services, both within national boundaries and across international borders.

Chair and Moderator: Nagesh Kumar, Director, ISID

Panellists:

Augustine Peter, Head, AP Regulatory Law Practise and former Member, Competition Commission of India

Arpita Mukherjee, Professor, ICRIER

Kiran N Meetarbhan, Director, CUTS International and former CEO, Mauritius Competition Commission

Parlok Gupta*, Assistant Professor, Centre for WTO Studies, Indian Institute for Foreign Trade

Reji Joseph, Associate Professor, ISID

Release of “India Competition and Regulation Report, 2023”