Doctors alarmed over impact of TPPA on drug costs

Two senior doctors have been interviewed by Radio New Zealand’s Nine to Noon programme today about their concerns about the impact of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) on medicine costs.  Prime Minister John Key conceded yesterday that medicine costs were set to rise under the TPPA, although he was adamant that the Government, rather than patients, would absorb any extra cost.  ASMS Executive Director Ian Powell says any rise in drug costs will inevitably have an impact on the cash-strapped health system.  Nine to Noon presenter Kathryn Ryan interviewed Dr Bernie Fitzharris, a medical oncologist at Christchurch Hospital, and Dr George Laking, a medical oncologist who works in Auckland and Northland, who is also an advisor to Pharmac and a spokesperson for the group Doctors for Healthy Trade.  That interview can be heard at http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/201764290/clinicians-alarmed-over-impact-of-tpp-on-drug-costs.