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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.
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.
Statement of opposition to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership at the 4th global people’s health assembly, Savar Bangladesh, 15-19 November
19-Nov-2018
We condemn the secretly negotiated Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) which will erode people’s sovereignty and undermine health equity.
Slovakia does not have to compensate the Union private health insurer
9-Nov-2018 Slovak Spectator
The German Supreme Court dismissed the original arbitration decision against Slovakia concerning the ban on health-insurance companies’ profits.
Drugs costs impact health
8-Nov-2018 The Guardian.pe.ca
Canada’s negotiators extended data protection on biologics without knowing impact on prices.
Liz Truss slams regulations in speech to US think tank backing environmental roll-back after Brexit
21-Sep-2018 Unearthed
Treasury minister was speaking on the same day the Cato Institute called for softer environmental rules and NHS competition.
Japan to accept more caregivers from three Southeastern Asian countries
20-Aug-2018 Bangkok Post
Japan is planning to accept a greater number of caregivers from three Southeastern Asian countries having bilateral free trade agreements with Tokyo as part of efforts to address a labour shortage in the country.
Food for Thought: Weighing up health and investment in the age of the new pandemic
3-Jul-2018 IISD
A potential collision course between trade and investment agreements and public health measures could impact countries’ regulations of unhealthy food and drinks.
Revealed: $39m cost of defending Australia’s tobacco plain packaging laws
2-Jul-2018 The Guardian
Two years after an FOI claim was lodged, the price of the six-year fight with Philip Morris has been revealed
The myth behind health and trade agreements – Q&A with Othoman Mellouk
20-Jun-2018 IP Watch
Dr Othoman Mellouk is a Moroccan treatment advocate who has been working on intellectual property and access to medicines for more than a decade.
Tough talk over medicine and cheese as Australia and Europe seek a $37b trade deal
19-Jun-2018 Sydney Morning Herald
Trade Minister Steven Ciobo has promised to take a hard line with Europe on the question of cheap medicines and his counterpart Cecilia Malmström foresees “difficult” negotiations over Australian producers using European names such as "parmesan".
Activists sound alarm over trade deal
13-Jun-2018 The Nation
Groups say agreement will harm Thai agriculture and health, warn decision should be left to incoming elected government.
Reassess Malaysia’s position in trade agreements — CAP
6-Jun-2018 The Edge Markets
The Consumer Association of Penang (CAP) is urging the government to assess its position in regional trade agreements like the TPP and the RCEP.
The chilling effect: investor-state dispute settlement, graphic health warnings, the plain packaging of tobacco products, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership
31-May-2018 Info Justice
Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) poses significant challenges in respect of tobacco control, public health, human rights, and sustainable development.
Chicken safety fear as chlorine washing fails bacteria tests
28-May-2018 The Guardian
British microbiologists find that American technique at heart of Brexit trade row does not kill listeria and salmonella
The EU is no progressive free trader: It’s exporting chronic diseases to Latin America
24-May-2018 Euractiv
The EU has apparently chosen to put the trade goals of European tobacco companies ahead of their own commitments to sustainable development.
Doctors to go on strike tomorrow against FTA with Singapore
16-May-2018 Colombo Gazette
Government doctors are to stage a token strike tomorrow against the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Sri Lanka and Singapore.