Mike Levin: “article 17.9.4 of the United States- Australia Free Trade Agreement implementing legislation allowing patent holders to…”

“article 17.9.4 of the United States- Australia Free Trade Agreement implementing legislation allowing patent holders to prevent the import of their patented products is redundant and should not have been included in the agreement. Australian law already bans the export of pharmaceuticals if such drugs are purchased under its Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, PBS, and PBS drugs account for over 90 percent of all drugs sold in Australia. This language does not establish a precedent for other free trade agreements. According to the Senate Finance Committee, it is appropriate to raise objections if this language is included in a free trade agreement negotiated with a country that does not forbid the export of low cost pharmaceuticals. Therefore, I will support this agreement.”