3 February 2016
Health groups call for TPPA health check-up

Health groups across New Zealand are repeating their call for an independent expert health impact assessment of the draft TPP agreement.

Dr Alex Macmillan from OraTaiao: The NZ Climate and Health Council says New Zealanders need to know the full impact of this deal on our health and health system.

“We share the concerns of the World Medical Association - and we agree with the NZMA that last week’s National Interest Analysis does not adequately address health impacts.

“Our freedom to pass laws for a healthy country and climate - and respond to new health threats - is non-negotiable.” says Dr Macmillan. “To quote the World Health Organisation’s Director-General: ‘one particularly disturbing trend is the use of foreign investment agreements to handcuff governments and reduce their policy space.’

“TPPA health risks range from new medicines moving further out of reach of New Zealanders, to our fundamental freedom to legislate for better health.”
Dr Macmillan concludes: “For our health’s sake, the TPPA needs an urgent check-up.”

ENDS

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