29 Jul 2015

Clinicians alarmed over impact of TPP on drug costs

From Nine To Noon, 9:12 am on 29 July 2015

John Key has admitted that patents on medicines will be extended under the Trans Pacific Partnership, which is being locked down at a trade meeting in Hawaii this week. That means it will take much longer for cheaper generic versions of key drugs to become available. Cancer clinicians, the Medical Association and the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists have all expressed alarm about the impact of the TPP on the costs medicines, and have urged the government to ensure public health is protected. Dr Bernie Fitzharris is a medical oncologist at Christchurch Hospital; and Dr George Laking is a medical oncologist who works in Auckland and Northland; he is an advisor to Pharmac and is a spokesperson for Doctors for Healthy Trade.