UK set to join the Ottawa Group Initiative

The UK has announced that it will join the Ottawa Group’s Trade and Health Initiative (TAHI), joining a group of 13 like-minded WTO members to increase cooperation and work toward enhanced global rules to facilitate trade in essential medical goods.

When adopted, this will aim to increase cooperation amongst WTO members, keep medical supply chains open and lower trade barriers, getting vital supplies - including vaccines - to those who need them most. 

In response, Claire Machin, Director of International Policy at the ABPI, said:

"This pandemic has shown us that free trade is vital to ensuring medical supplies, medicines and vaccines get to where they are needed around the world.

 “It is great to see the UK co-sponsoring this initiative and the commitment to promoting resilient global healthcare systems and supply chains.”