Labors amendments will not come close to addressing the impact the Free Trade Agreement will have on the PBS say the Australian Democrats.
Senator Lyn Allison, Australian Democrats health spokesperson said while the amendments addressed one ramification of the FTA, many more disastrous implications had been overlooked.
"Restricting drug firms from lodging dubious patent applications to delay the introduction of cheaper generic drugs is not going to reduce the free reign given to large pharmaceutical companies through this agreement," Senator Allison said.
Senator Aden Ridgeway, Democrats trade spokesperson said even if the amendments get support, its no win for the PBS. "Taxpayers and sick Australians are still the big losers in this deal," Senator Ridgeway said.
Labors amendments fail to address that the agreement:
- Favours the legal rights of drug companies over the public interest;
- Provides drug companies with more opportunities to pressure the Government to list expensive drugs where cheaper alternatives are available;
- Paves the way for drug companies to bombard consumers with ads for products;
- Sets up hurdles for small generic drug manufacturers in getting their cheaper products on the market; and
- Signs away Australias ability to open up the market to cheaper imports.
"These amendments will do nothing to stop the US pharmaceutical companies having a far greater role in determining the shape and cost of Australias health system and pharmaceutical scheme while opening the PBS up to higher drug prices," Senator Ridgeway concluded.
