title: "Trade creep" and implications of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Agreement for the United Kingdom National Health Service.
abstract: The ambitious and comprehensive Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Agreement (TTIP/TAFTA) agreement between the European Union and United States is now being negotiated and may have far-reaching consequences for health services. The agreement extends to government procurement, investment, and further regulatory cooperation. In this article, we focus on the United Kingdom National Health Service and how these negotiations can limit policy space to change policies and to regulate in relation to health services, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and health industries. The negotiation of TTIP/TAFTA has the potential to "harmonize" more corporate-friendly regulation, resulting in higher costs and loss of policy space, an example of "trade creep" that potentially compromises health equity, public health, and safety concerns across the Atlantic.
authors.forename: Meri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koivusalo
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tritter
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D004345:Drug Industry; D004465:Economic Competition / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D033161:Government Regulation; D007391:International Cooperation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017008:Negotiating; D011050:Policy Making; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom; D014481:United States