E=DRUG: MSF responds to leak of Trans-Pacific Partnership text on Wikileaks
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.msfaccess.org/content/msf-responds-leak-trans-pacific-partnership-text-wikileaks
For the first time in more than two years, text from the intellectual
property chapter of the secret Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement
negotiations has been leaked. Since 2010, the negotiations have been
shrouded in secrecy, with none of the current 12 negotiating Pacific-rim
countries releasing text or information on a trade agreement that will
ultimately impact the lives of at least half a billion people.
The TPP currently includes some of the harshest provisions against access
to medicines ever included in a trade agreement with developing countries,
gutting public health safeguards and leaving them unable to take the steps
needed to protect the lives and health of their people above the profit of
multinational pharmaceutical companies. For more information, please read
MSF's issue brief and recent statements here: http://www.msfaccess.org/tpp/
[For pharmaceuticals and other health commodities, stronger IP regimes mean extended patent monopolies and delayed generic competition, and that translates into higher prices for people who need medicines. In developing countries, where people rarely have health insurance and must pay for medicines out of pocket, high prices keep lifesaving medicines out of reach and are often a matter of life and death.]
Medecins Sans Frontieres responds to the leaked TPP text:
'The leak of the secret text confirms that the U.S. government continues to
steamroll its trading partners in the face of steadfast opposition over
terms that will severely restrict access to affordable medicines for
millions of people. The U.S. is refusing to back down from dangerous
provisions that will impede timely access to affordable medicines.
'It is encouraging to see that some governments, including Canada, Chile, New
Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore, are pushing back against some aspects of
the U.S. position with their own proposal that better protects access to
medicines; what is troubling is that the text also shows that some
countries are willing to give in to the U.S. government's damaging demands.
We urge countries to stand strong to ensure that the harmful terms are
removed before this deal is finalised.'
- Judit Rius Sanjuan, U.S. Manager MSF Access Campaign.
Joanna Keenan
Press Officer
Medecins Sans Frontieres - Access Campaign
P: +41 22 849 87 45
M: +41 79 203 13 02
E: joanna.keenan[at]geneva.msf.org