University of Macau / Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences

In 1994, the members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) adopted the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (the "TRIPs Agreement") and thus committed themselves to respect certain standards for intellectual property protection. This thesis studies the scope of the standards for patent protection and their impact upon trade in medicines. The first part addresses the international dimension of the issue and explains how international trade in medicines can contribute to enhancing the level of global welfare. The first chapter argues that in order to fulfil this latter objective legislation relating to patents must be adapted to the economic and social situation of countries. The second chapter demonstrates that such adaptation is not only allowed, but is indeed encouraged by the provisions of the TRIPS Agreement. The second part of this thesis addresses the issue from a Canadian perspective, and discusses the way Canadian patent provisions applying to pharmaceuticals should be drafted so as to allow Canada to participate in---and to benefit from---international trade in medicines. Thus, I first analyse the factual, political, and legislative factors that influence the Canadian pharmaceutical industry. I then study the role of Canada as part of the integrated market for medicines, as well as the social, industrial and economic objectives underlying Canadian policies. I finally propose some modifications and adaptations to the Canadian Patent Act and suggest some orientations for future multilateral negotiations.

No description available.

This thesis represents an attempt to encourage a new perspective on health in the late-eighteenth and nineteenth century by concentrating on the ‘mundane maladies’ of the middle classes. The conventional approach to studies of urban health has been to concentrate on the killer diseases of the period. Thus tuberculosis, cholera and typhoid have all received much attention. But what about the everyday experience of health and illness? It is largely unrecorded as the occasional bout of stomach ache, constipation or chesty cough was rarely thought to be noteworthy, except by the odd hypochondriac. However, with the aid of advertisements for health and beauty products published in the provincial press, it is possible to explore the experience of less dramatic and less debilitating ailments. This study, therefore, has analysed the language and strategies employed by advertisers of health and beauty products and services to gain a clearer understanding of the middle-class experience of health and ill-health. Whilst product names and descriptions reveal the range of ‘mundane maladies’ that beset the middle classes, the language employed to sell them offers an indication of the public’s beliefs and expectations surrounding health. Attention has also been paid on how beauty products were employed to manage external appearances. As towns and cities grew during the late-eighteenth and nineteenth century, individuals increasingly judged others by their appearance. By analysing the language used to sell beauty products, it is possible to gain an insight into how members of the middle class wished to be perceived.

University of Macau / Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences

University of Macau / Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences

University of Macau / Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences