Tuesday, November 3, 2015
The United States has concluded negotiations on the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal, and on November 5, 2015, President Obama released the text of the agreement. This started a 90-day period for public review before Congress can take an up or down vote. The agreement contains various provisions that could affect drug prices for all Americans, including seniors. These provisions would block patent reform and jeopardize the government’s ability to negotiate lower prices for drugs in public programs like Medicare.
TPP Locks in Patent Protections for Drugs & May Block Future Reform
The United States has been more liberal in granting patents and other forms of regulatory protections to pharmaceutical companies than other countries. The U.S. Trade Representative, at the urging of pharmaceutical companies, succeeded in pressuring other countries to provide the same protections, and set them in stone, as part of the TPP agreement. As a result, the TPP jeopardizes our country’s ability to change its own rules on patents in the future, which will increase the prices consumers pay.
Exclusivity for biologics: In the United States, the exclusivity period for biologics – drugs used to treat various types of cancer and other chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis – is 12 years. However, many health advocates and President Obama have endorsed shortening the exclusivity period for biologics to seven years. The final TPP requires parties to provide eight years of “effective market protection.” This provision would prevent access to clinical data and registration of cheaper versions of medicines for eight years. While drug companies claim this protection is needed to promote innovation, it will extend drug monopolies at the expense of patient access and limit future reforms the U.S. government can make.
Evergreening: The TPP that would also require countries to grant “evergreen” patents or patent extensions for small changes in the formula, dosage or administration of the drugs, regardless of whether these minor alterations improve the efficacy of the drug, further locking in higher prices for longer periods of time.
TPP Could Limit Cost Control Measures in Public Programs
The federal government, as the administrator of Medicare, works to lower the cost of prescriptions drugs for patients and the government, through rebates, discounts and drug formularies. However, the TPP agreement includes language that puts the interests of drug and medical device companies above those of beneficiaries and taxpayers by providing an opportunity for drug and device manufacturers to seek higher reimbursement rates.
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