Congressional Setback for Trans-Pacific Partnership is a Win for Generic Drug Makers

June 16, 2015

On Friday, the House rejected an assistance program that would provide aid to workers harmed by imports, a move which lessens the prospects for eventual approval of the wider Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact.

The TPP -- a deal that would lower barriers to trade and investment between the U.S. and 11 other Pacific Rim nations -- has been heavily supported by most of corporate America.

Branded pharmaceutical companies have been pushing for the inclusion of strong intellectual property provisions in the trade pact.

Generic drug makers, however, have been lobbying against the trade pact and are applauding the Congressional defeat. Generic drug makers argue that the pact goes too far in protecting the branded drug patents and will block global access to generic drugs.

Read the NY Times article