Fierce split over next-generation drugs holds up Pacific Rim trade talks

[villager]

Source: Washington Post

ATLANTA — Negotiators from the United States and 11 other nations struggled Saturday to break an impasse on an expansive Pacific Rim trade accord backed by the Obama administration, setting up what could be a make-or-break final day of talks.

Trade ministers agreed to extend their stay for a fifth day here to give themselves another shot to reach consensus Sunday on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The largest free trade and regulatory pact in a generation has been beset by lingering disputes that have left officials fearful that they are running out of time if they don’t close out the pact this weekend.

A fierce divide between the United States and Australia over market exclusivity for the creators of next-generation biologic drugs has stalled the talks that officials hoped would be wrapped up already. Differences over market access for dairy exports also remained unresolved, though officials said they were hopeful that could be bridged once the other issue was settled.

“Progress has been made, but negotiations are still ongoing,” Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who is running for reelection this month, told reporters during a campaign stop in Montreal on Saturday.

An all-night negotiating session at the Westin hotel, where the ministers are meeting, failed to produce significant progress on the thorniest issues. The main dispute centers on how long pharmaceutical companies will maintain exclusive marketing rights to genetically engineered medicines.

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Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/fierce-split-over-drug-patents-holds-up-trans-pacific-partnership-talks/2015/10/03/1c0e1d46-6a03-11e5-9ef3-fde182507eac_story.html

[SoapBox]

1. If they come to "agreement"

We're screwed.

Again.

[elleng]

2. 'over market exclusivity for the creators of next-generation biologic drugs has stalled the talks'

GOOD!

[Geronimoe]

3. A right for enormous corporate profit

No right to affordable health care, clean air and water, safe food, or a living wage.

[turbinetree]

4. Let's call this "deal" for what it really is...........................

it sux's............................. nothing more nothing less



Honk-----------------for a political revolution Bernie 2016

[Moliere]

5. Let us hope that greed wins, tanks the negotiations and saves us

[loudsue]

6. IOW, every party to these negotiations KNOW their countrymen detest this agreement.

That's why they're worried about getting it done BEFORE their election seasons begin in earnest.

These people are fucking ASSHOLES, and that includes the USA negotiators and parties to the signing. They KNOW they are going against what is best for THE PEOPLE of the world, and instead pushing for what is best for the 1%.

[eridani]

7. Good