Strengthening the Resilience of Pandemic-Related Medical Product Supply Chains - Assessing the Relationship Between the WHO Pandemic Agreement and the WTO

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities in global public health governance and the international trade system, particularly in the distribution of essential medical products. Despite entering a post-pandemic era, the risk of future pandemics necessitates urgent international cooperation to enhance preparedness and supply chain resilience. This paper examines the limitations of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in regulating trade-restrictive measures during the pandemic and explores the potential of the forthcoming WHO pandemic agreement to guide future responses.
Focusing on the proposed “Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network” under Article 13 of the WHO draft agreement, the paper argues that the WTO must evolve from a passive observer to an active facilitator of equitable access to medical goods. Through a review of pandemic-era trade restrictions and the WTO’s legal framework, the paper identifies gaps in current mechanisms and proposes legislative and interpretive reforms to align trade rules with humanitarian principles. Ultimately, it advocates for stronger synergy between trade and health regimes to ensure fair and timely access to medical supplies in future global health emergencies.