Trans-Pacific Partnership: Intellectual Property Rights Won’t be Strong Enough
A few days ago, I discussed my concern that intellectual property rights for pharmaceutical innovators would not be strong enough in the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement for which President Obama seeks Trade Promotion Authority.
Well, they won’t be strong enough, according to information leaked from the negotiations:
Facing resistance from Pacific trading partners, the Obama administration is no longer demanding protection for pharmaceutical prices under the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, according to a newly leaked section of the proposed trade accord.
But Pacific accord negotiators appear ready to grant pharmaceutical and medical device makers more power to influence participating governments. The 12 countries involved, and any others that might join later, would have to disclose rules and guidelines for deciding which medical products would be made available through government programs and at what rate providers would be reimbursed.
(Jonathan Weisman, “U.S. Shifts Stance on Drug Pricing in Pacific Trade Pact Talks, Document Reveals,” New York Times, June 10, 2015)
Call me old-fashioned, but I think that’s a pretty reasonable request.
