TPP: Robb should reject new sneaky tricks to extend medicine monopolies

Media Release, September 29, 2015

As TPP trade ministers meet in Atlanta, Georgia tomorrow, a new proposal based on Japanese practice could provide a secret way of extending monopolies on expensive biologic medicines used to treat cancer and other life-threatening diseases,Trade Minister Robb has pledged to reject the US TPP proposal to extend data protection on biologics from 5 to 8 years, which would delay cheaper versions of these medicines and cost taxpayers $205 million for each year of delay. It would also require a change to Australian law, which may not pass through the Senate. But a new TPP proposal based on Japanese administrative practice would extend monopolies by three years without changing Australia’s or other countries’ laws.  Australia should reject this sneaky trick. Read the full media release here.