Don’t please treat Health as a Trade War Pawn- Dr Aashish Chaudhry
New Delhi: Donald Trump has not covered himself with glory by imposing 100 percent tariffs on pharmaceutical imports. If he thinks he will achieve his MAGA, this meanness will always remain a festering sore on his country.
This measure of his could prove Trump’s unkindest cut on his own citizens he professes to protect. It is anti- theses to his so called peace overtures because 100 percent tariffs on medicines is a veritable act of war on hapless patients of America. It makes his overriding ‘Make America Great Again.’(MAGA) refrain a sham. It indeed raises a universal ethical question- Should patients be pitted to vagaries of trade war? Trump’s act is in stark contrast to that of PM Modi’s government which has just lowered the GST to make medicines more affordable to his patients.
Trump’s unbecoming act has rankled Dr Aashish Chaudhry, Managing Director, Aakash Healthcare. True healers all over the world will feel the same way what if only American patients are on the receiving end. Given the way trump is treating Indians in America now, average response might be- it serves an American right having to taste his own medicine. But for true healers, a patient is a patient wherever he belongs.
A renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr Chaudhry has picked a bone with Trump on this issue saying “The decision by the US President to impose a 100% tariff on pharmaceutical imports from Oct 1 is a blunt weapon. While US patients may feel the pinch, it strikes at the heart of universal & affordable healthcare. Health should not be treated as a trade war pawn.’ As behoves a true healer, Dr Chaudhry here is fighting for American patients. Doctors of the world should rally around Dr Chaudhry’s little gesture of trying to save the world.
India may feel proud of the fact that over 90 percent Americans use cheap generic medicines produced by Indian Pharma Companies. Trump’s medicine madness will also badly impact the business of these Indian companies. Let us hope, Trump will heal himself and mend his obnoxious measure.
