WHO's Traditional Medicine Strategy: A Legal Framework That Could Expand Global Health Governance
Newsletter Edition #283 [The Files In-Depth]
Hi,
In global health, every area is a market that needs to be legislated. Health also means politics and culture. In some domains, more than others, these different elements come together, making governance complex.
Take the case of traditional medicines. A new strategy was approved by countries earlier this year at the World Health Assembly in May. Our piece today, by my colleague Vineeth Penmetsa, unpacks the layers in the traditional medicines business. The analysis describes the legal ramifications, AI, to cultural factors, and how they all come together in opening another frontier in the governance of health. We also look at the discussions on this in other policy fora including at the World Intellectual Property Organization.
The author argues that WHO has created a legal framework that tests fundamental assumptions about how international law handles cultural diversity, regulatory pluralism, and enforcement accountability.
Vineeth, an India-based legal researcher with a strong interest in health law and global health policy, has done fabulous work for us, and has been a part of our annual fellowship program. Write to him with your thoughts on his story.
As always, at Geneva Health Files, we are keen to raise questions important to the field: on the “ownership” of standards, regulations, science - without losing sight of commercial interests in capitals.
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More soon!
Best,
Priti
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I. ANALYSIS
WHO's Traditional Medicine Strategy: A Legal Framework That Could Expand Global Health Governance
By Vineeth Penmetsa
Contact: vineeth.penmetsa@gmail.com
A landmark approval of the Global Traditional Medicine Strategy at the World Health Assembly potentially establishes precedents for balancing indigenous rights, scientific standards, and regulatory sovereignty in international law
When the World Health Assembly approved the Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025 – 2034 on May 26 after "intense discussion," it did more than legitimize ancient healing practices. It created a legal framework that tests fundamental assumptions about how international law handles cultural diversity, regulatory pluralism, and enforcement accountability.
The approval came amid broader WHO governance reforms where member states are demanding greater oversight of the organization's initiatives. Countries are simultaneously pushing for new rules requiring detailed financial justification for any WHO program costing over $10 million while creating strategies that lack binding enforcement mechanisms. The traditional medicine strategy fits in squarely in the middle of this institutional power struggle.
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