Missed TPP deadline prompts fresh call to withdraw

An economic advocacy group is urging the Australian government not to accept a proposal by the United States, which would reportedly strengthen patent laws and increase prices for medicines.

Ministers from 12 nations, including Australia, have been in talks over a Trans Pacific Partnership, or TPP, Agreement, which would ultimately enable the United States to trade freely with the other 11 countries.

 

But a number of issues, including patent protection rules for cheaper generic drugs, have led to the negotiators missing the deadline to reach a deal this year despite several attempts.

 

Dr Patricia Ranald is from the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network.

 

Dr Ranald has told Zara Zaher the repeated failure to reach an agreement indicates the illegitimacy of the deal.

 

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