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medicines

2019: USTR takes aim at European countries over pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement policies
4-Apr-2019 KEI
In its latest report on foreign trade barriers, the USTR, prompted by the pharmaceutical industry, takes aim at the pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement policies in the European Union.
PBO report shows that new NAFTA provisions threaten Pharmacare, says Council of Canadians
3-Apr-2019 Council of Canadians
The Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) revealed that new intellectual property provisions in the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement would cost Canadians as much as $169 million more per year for pharmaceutical drugs
Trump’s NAFTA 2.0 puts big pharma first, America second
1-Apr-2019 NY Magazine
The new version of NAFTA forbids the US Congress from curtailing Big Pharma’s patent monopolies on some of the world’s most expensive drugs.
How drug prices could derail new trade pact to replace NAFTA
22-Feb-2019 USA Today
Democrats in Congress contend that the new pact would force Americans to pay more for prescription drugs, and their argument has dimmed the outlook for one of Trump’s signature causes.
Provision that could raise drug costs emerges as key obstacle to NAFTA approval
8-Feb-2019 The Star
Some Democrats in the US, like Canada’s generic drug industry, warn that the new biologics rule would keep drug prices high by requiring citizens to wait longer before they can get their hands on lower-cost similar drugs known as biosimilars.
More than 70 US health, consumer and other groups demand elimination of NAFTA 2.0 terms that would lock in high US medicine prices
22-Jan-2019 Public Citizen
In a letter to Congress, the groups demand that the pact’s giveaways to Big Pharma that would keep medicines unaffordable be removed before the pact is sent to Congress.
We can’t afford to let the new NAFTA drive up drug prices
14-Jan-2019 Chicago Tribune
NAFTA 2.0 would effectively tie the US Congress’ hands in the struggle against rising drug prices.
Comments on negotiating objectives for a US-Japan trade agreement
12-Dec-2018 PhRMA
US drug manufacturers want Japan to provide 12 years of data protection for biologic medicine in upcoming trade talks. That would be four more years than Japan currently provides.
NAFTA 2.0: US-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Chapter 20: pharmaceutical related patent provisions
5-Dec-2018 Public Citizen
The Intellectual Property Chapter of the revised NAFTA, rebranded by the Trump Administration USMCA, includes provisions that threaten to undermine critical efforts to­wards affordable health care and medicine.
Indonesia and RCEP: Beware the public health risks
26-Nov-2018 The Diplomat
Proposals from Japan and South Korea would require patent law changes in several RCEP countries, including Indonesia.
PHA4: Neoliberal policies and corporate takeover are the cause of the world health crisis
19-Nov-2018 Peoples Dispatch
Multinational corporations are suing countries for using generic versions of life saving medicines.
Switzerland should stop pushing for TRIPS-plus measures in trade agreement with Indonesia
12-Nov-2018 Public Eye
Swiss and Norwegians civil society groups addressed their serious concerns over TRIPS-plus provisions being included in the trade agreement under negotiation between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Indonesia.
RCEP and affordable medicines: Civil society reaches out to Minister of Commerce Suresh Prabhu
12-Nov-2018 Don’t trade our lives away
Civil society organisations, patient groups and health activists have been concerned about intellectual property provisions being discussed in RCEP which undermine access to medicines and affordable treatment for patients
Indonesia-EFTA CEPA TRIPS-plus, threat for access to medicines and the right to health of millions of people in Indonesia
8-Nov-2018 IGJ
In many countries, the implementation of the TRIPS-plus measures has significantly increased the cost of medicines.
Drugs costs impact health
8-Nov-2018 The Guardian.pe.ca
Canada’s negotiators extended data protection on biologics without knowing impact on prices.
Trade and patent changes could increase healthcare costs by $100bn, CPHI annual report warns
9-Oct-2018 European Pharmaceutical Manufacturer
Patients may need to wait an extra five or 10 years to access generic medicines, which could raise healthcare costs by as $100 billion over the next five years, according to the latest CPhI annual report
Canada ’caved’ on intellectual property provisions in USMCA trade deal, experts say
5-Oct-2018 Financial Post
Experts are fuming, saying USMCA will hamper Canada’s innovation economy and hike costs to the health care system over patented drugs.
Extended monopolies on biologic drugs – A warning to developing countries
12-Sep-2018 IP Watch
The United States has throughout history been the principal demandeur of maximalist intellectual property, backed by a powerful pharmaceutical lobby.
Biologic drugs would get 10 years of data protection under revised US-Mexico trade deal
28-Aug-2018 Pharmaceutical Commerce
The 10-year span is more than what had existed before but the biopharma industry has long argued for the same 12-year exclusivity that exists for biologics within the US market.
Dozens of grassroots groups want changes to ‘secret’ trade pact
2-Aug-2018 Asia Times
While some states in East and Southeast Asia favor the 16-nation RCEP trade deal, many civil society groups say it lacks transparency and public participation.