Photo by C.E. Kent (CC-BY)
We write to express our deep concern with reports about proposed provisions regarding intellectual property, investment and pharmaceuticals reimbursement in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations (TPP). We believe those provisions if included in the final agreement, would severely threaten access to affordable medicines in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in developing countries, and could have potentially serious consequences for patients in developed countries, including the United States.
A series of reports suggest that those provisions would go beyond the obligations under the Trade-Related Aspect of Intellectual Property Agreement (TRIPS) and would backtrack from the principles in the Bipartisan Agreement of May 10, 2007. Such measures could limit generic competition, lead to higher drug prices, and compromise access to affordable medicines.
