TPPA Impact on Health a Significant Concern

“It’s very disappointing that the Government continues to press ahead with the flawed Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) despite significant concerns raised by senior health professionals and many others,” says Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS).

“Thousands of people took to the streets last year to express concern about the lack of transparency around this international trade deal and its likely adverse impact on New Zealand. In a breath-taking display of arrogance, those concerns have been repeatedly brushed aside.”

Mr Powell says senior doctors and dentists throughout the country have called for an independent assessment of the likely effects of the TPPA on health care in New Zealand.

“The TPPA gives foreign interests an extraordinary level of power in this country, including the ability to take legal action against the New Zealand government if their profits are threatened.”

“The TPPA will also weaken public services by increasing the pressure on agencies like Pharmac, the Government’s central medicines-buying agency and increase the cost of essential drugs to taxpayers.”

“The overall effect is to reduce the rights of New Zealand’s elected governments to make decisions in the interests of New Zealanders.”

ENDS

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