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Doctors warn TPP could threaten access to medicine

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Doctors warn of TPP risks

3News NZ

The Government says the public health service isn't up for negotiation

The Government says the public health service isn't up for negotiation

By Peter Wilson, NZN Political Writer

Free trade opponents are preparing for another day of demonstrations in Auckland as delegates from 11 countries continue negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

They say the deal threatens New Zealand's right to make its own laws and an international doctors' organisation has thrown its weight behind concerns that access to cheap drugs will be compromised.

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) says leaked drafts of the US negotiating position show it is demanding aggressive intellectual property provisions that would roll back public health safeguards in favour of enhanced patent and data protection.

That would make it harder to gain access to generic drugs, MSF says.

The Green Party has voiced the same fears, saying the Government's drug buying agency Pharmac won't be able to buy medicines at affordable prices.

The Government says the public health service isn't up for negotiation and Pharmac won't be affected, but ministers acknowledge there are "sensitive issues" that still have to be addressed.

Prime Minister John Key is firmly behind the TPP, saying on Monday it could be add more than $3 billion a year to New Zealand's economy.

"The Asia-Pacific region will drive economic growth opportunities in coming years and we can't afford to sit on the sidelines," he said.

"The aim is to wrap up a deal in the coming year - it's a challenging timeline but Auckland is our opportunity to build momentum."

The negotiations began in 2007, aiming to expand the existing free trade agreement between Chile, New Zealand, Singapore and Brunei to include the United States, Australia, Vietnam, Peru, Mexico, Malaysia and Canada.

"Collectively, the TPP economies represent US$21 trillion ($25.6 trillion) in GDP - a comprehensive, 21st century agreement would provide many opportunities for New Zealand businesses," Mr Key said.

NZN

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Comments

5/12/2012 7:51:54 p.m.

Shanae wrote:

I really wish the media wouldn't refer to people against the TPP as "free trade opponents". That is heavily slanted reporting. The reality is that several people who are against the TPP are actually pro-free trade (one excellent example being the trade economist Jagdish Bhagwati). Trade isn't really what is at issue with this TPP - it is just a mere smokescreen to distract the public from what is really at stake. That is to say, this TPP is NOT a free trade agreement. If only it was... If we could actually get the USA and some of the other TPP countries to open up their markets to our exports via substantial tariff reduction and the cessation of subsidisation of their own industries, that would be amazing for our exporters (though not so great for their own producers and workers). However, this is not what is on offer with this deal, despite what Key, Groser, MFAT and the NZUS Council want you to believe. The US doesn't practice free trade - anyone who thinks they would have any intention of opening up their markets to the likes of our agricultural exporters is SERIOUSLY deluded. There is no way that the US is going to reduce tariffs on dairy imports by any significant amount or cease subsidising its farmers. It would be political suicide for the Obama administration. Fonterra have been incredibly naive in their support of the TPPA.

5/12/2012 3:40:41 p.m.

Greg wrote:

They jumped on the bandwagon. The U.S. has been entering free trade agreements with former soviet states to get the nukes cleared out of the countries.
Free trade for America usually means two things, weapons one way and refugess the other.

5/12/2012 10:42:23 a.m.

J wrote:

Will someone please tell me how America entered the TPPA with the P4 incl NZ? Did Bush push in or was he invited, or was he invited because he informed the government he wanted to be invited (or else)? As for the $3billion plus Key bandied about, in the last video segment I watched him say it was $2billion plus - his lies are getting bigger!

4/12/2012 9:03:32 p.m.

JC wrote:

3 billion per year in exchange for corporate governance? Not worth it!

4/12/2012 5:48:34 p.m.

Lynnaire Liversedge wrote:

The 'secrecy' around this TPP IS unwarranted in that WHY is it people actually involved in the negotiations are so concerned at the 'detail' that is THEM that are leaking the detail to opponenents like Prof. Jane Kelsey knowing she will scrutinise it very closely and SEE the problem(s) inherant in this very bad deal for NZ - it will NOT create more jobs for NZers - this is totally incorrect informantion being fed us by John Key and Tim Grosser. This deal is blatantly anti china and yet these 2 men refuse to acknowledge this fact, Pharmac will be forced to have at its table an "unfriendly" which will undermine its ability to ge the best deal for NZ Why are Tait Industries in Chch really worried about this deal - becos they will be shutout of Trade advantages. The Chapter on "investor' States is extremely worrying. All countries will have to fit their laws to the TPP rules and this will be 'enforcable' This enforces Global Govt. and Big Business Rules. There is a 'rearguard' action trying to talk down all these concerns. But we say "No Way to TPPA!"

4/12/2012 6:59:48 a.m.

alison wrote:

All for the almighty dollar again.