scuwp:frankv:scuwp: I neither agree nor disagree on the points of views expressed over drug distribution. Longer patents for development and $$$ for research = better drugs faster, or shorter patents = availability of drugs cheaper for wider distribution.
I however come back to my first question...what does this have to specifically do with the TPPA? Laws can be easily changed to alter drug patent terms at any time, drug companies can decide at any time what they will charge for their product. Whether the TPPA comes in or not the same outcome is possible is it not? And given that the details of the TPPA are SECRET how can anyone know, be they a qualified medical expert, world class economist, or burger-flipper at the local MD's, the outcome until the ink on the paper is dry?
I get the concern, I just don't get how so many people are apparently experts on a supposed secret trade agreement? Or is it not so secret after all?
One of the secret details of the TPPA that has been leaked (and not denied by John Key) is that the TPPA allows companies to sue Governments for any losses caused by law changes. So, laws WON'T be easily changed (except to provide even more profit to the corporations). Such a major change to the sovereignty of our nation needs to be openly discussed, not slipped in as a secret agreement that, once the ink is dry, can't be rescinded.
If the TPPA was such a good thing for Kiwis, why is it secret? Surely John Key would be trumpeting the goodness of it all to all and sundry. When a politician keeps something secret, it's because someone (usually the taxpayer) is getting shafted.
Conspiracy theorists playground here. Its secret because it it a trade/business negotiation. If the other parties knew our strategy or position then they could use that against NZ. I see nothing unusual in that.
Just telling you that some European environmental activists were being accused of being "conspiracy theorists" when making accusations against Euro car makers "dirty little secret". Until yesterday that is.
I'd be happy to see accusations of others being "conspiracy theorists" put in the same category as Godwin's.
It's a loser argument - too often a last resort tactic used to try and discredit opinion when you can't argue something rationally.
See my above post re the need for "secrecy" and Pharma IP rights. I call BS on that.