[Ip-health] PBS and US Aust Free Trade update

[Mr Buddhima Lokuge]

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The Australia Institute released a report examining the implications of rec=
ent comments by FTA negotiators that the US was seeking changes to Australi=
as Patent laws, as they relate to pharmaceuticals. The report argues that t=
his is a backdoor, political strategy to weaken PBS reference pricing and r=
aise pharmaceutical prices in Australia.

The final round of FTA negotiations are scheduled to end this friday at whi=
ch time we will hear more detail on what has been claimed.
Regards
Dr B. Lokuge

For the paper see: http://www.tai.org.au/WhatsNew_Files/WhatsNew/Patents.pd=
f
Press release on the paper: http://www.tai.org.au/MediaReleases_Files/Media=
Releases/PRpatents.pdf

Press based on this report
  a.. `Big pharma` dons sheep`s clothing Australian Financial Review, 04Dec=
, Tony Walker
  b.. FTA: fair deal or no deal Australian Financial Review, 04Dec John Qui=
ggin
  c.. Drug prices to rise in trade deal: Canberra Times, 04Dec, AAP
  d.. US drug firms to cash-in over free trade Courier Mail, 04Dec
  e.. Families face big drug hike Sunday Herald Sun  30 Nov L.Wright
  f.. Fears over drug prices Sunday Mail 30 Nov

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