CAFTA Perks for Drug Companies Would Deny Access to Generic Drugs

[ElsewheresDaughter]

http://www.kucinich.us/

CAFTA Perks for Drug Companies Would Deny Access to Generic Drugs
On the House Floor, Congressman Kucinich joined Congressman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in speaking against the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). In these remarks, Dennis addressed specifically the portions of the bill which affect access by people in Central American nations to generic prescription drugs.

Kucinich said, "While the Bush administration says that they understand the need for lower-cost medicines in developing countries, their actions demonstrate greater concern for protecting the extremely high profitability of leading pharmaceutical companies. In the trade talks that resulted in CAFTA, our government pressed for tighter restrictions on generic drugs in the Central American countries. The result will be higher prices for medicines and higher profits for the pharmaceutical industry paid for by some of the poorest people on earth.

"CAFTA has been one of the Bush administration's highest priorities in international trade. As we know, it extends the NAFTA agreement to all of the Central American countries that happen to be small and poor. The CAFTA countries include Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. It was formally signed by the administration, and it awaits congressional votes, which is why we are here to appeal to the Members of Congress to think long and hard before they would even consider supporting CAFTA.

"The Central American countries that would be affected by CAFTA have significant health problems. AIDS, for instance, is more prevalent in the CAFTA countries taken as a whole than in the United States. According to Dr. Manuel Munoz, the director of Medecins Sans Frontiere's AIDS treatment program in Honduras, 'HIV/AIDS kills one person in Honduras every 2 hours, because the vast majority of people with HIV/AIDS cannot afford lifesaving AIDS medicines.' Malaria and tuberculosis are also prevalent. As a result, the people of these countries need greater access to essential medicines. Yet, CAFTA will make access more difficult for most residents and impossible for too many of them."

Read the rest of this Floor Speech here. Also read CAFTA, Like NAFTA, is Bad Trade Policy from May 4.

Familiarize yourself with the trade-related resources on our discussion forum, comment and ask questions.

Then contact your Member of Congress and explain briefly in your own words why he or she should vote against CAFTA.

also

CAFTA, Like NAFTA, Is Bad Trade Policy
http://www.kucinich.us/floor_speeches/work_cafta4may.php

[Al-CIAda]

1. This will be a DISASTER to the American worker. Kick.

[countryjake]

2. It is corporate globalization, on the fast track to control our neighbors!

I like the way Kucinich got in that dig at the WTO, there at the end of his speech. Rep. Michaud has been busy working with all measures concerning working people in our country and trying to include labor regulations with trade deals such as CAFTA (which can't be amended) and reforming WTO objectives. Dumping CAFTA and then repealing the Trade "fast track" would go far in blocking this "corporate rule" the neo-cons have been advancing.

Here's just one example of CAFTA in action, regarding the drug czars:

CAFTA's Profit Motive By Harold Meyerson
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11310-2005Mar29.html

~snips~

"Spreading democracy is one thing. But do we really want America to be known for spreading the pricing practices of our drug companies?"

"In Guatemala, the United States has become the sales rep for the pharmaceutical industry. Citing urgent public health concerns, the Guatemalan legislature enacted a law last year that permitted the marketing of generic drugs alongside their brand-name equivalents. Citing the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), whose ratification congressional committees will begin to consider next week, the U.S. trade representative then told the Guatemalans that any such drug legislation would stop CAFTA dead in its tracks. If the five Central American nations (plus the Dominican Republic) that had signed CAFTA wanted it ratified, Guatemala would have to repeal the new law. Reluctantly, Guatemala obliged."

"our trade policies are as clear an expression of our global vision as our foreign policy. For those who see America's mission as enforcing the drug companies' profit margins, CAFTA is the treaty for you."

[countryjake]

3. So many aspects of CAFTA will screw us! All activists should be concerned!

Activists Fear Free Trade Act Will Restrict Access to AIDS Drugs in Central America
By Catherine Elton
Guatemala City 04 April 2005
http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-04-04-voa33.cfm

~snips~

"Late last year in Guatemala, AIDS activists scored a big victory when a new law was passed that further opened the country's market to generic drugs. But the U.S. Embassy and Trade Representative put stern and open pressure on the government to change the law, saying it contradicted the already negotiated CAFTA." In March, weeks before ratifying the free trade accord, the government changed the law to bring it in line with CAFTA."

"But people like Alain Kergoat, of the humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders, says the only sure-fire way for Central Americans to ensure continued access to generic drugs is for the U.S. Congress to vote against CAFTA. 'I hope there is enough time to explain to people in the United States the effect this accord will have on health systems in these countries, he says.'"

"At a recent protest outside Guatemala's Health Ministry, HIV-positive demonstrators wearing paper bags over their heads shout, "We want health."

"They say they are planning to stage protests like this one in front of U.S. Embassies across the region, and they are also working with AIDS activists in the United States to lobby Congress."



Central American AIDS Advocates Hope U.S. Congress Votes Against CAFTA, Say Pact Could Threaten Treatment Access
09 Apr 2005
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=22457

~snip~

Rising Costs

"Generic antiretroviral treatment currently costs about $400 per patient annually in Guatemala, but, if CAFTA is adopted, antiretroviral costs could rise to $10,000 annually per patient because the agreement would require many patients to switch from using low-cost generic drugs to more-expensive patented drugs, VOA News reports. Costa Rican AIDS advocate Guillermo Murillo said that government-funded antiretroviral coverage recently has increased in many Central American countries but "will be impossible to extend" if CAFTA is adopted"


Michaud Leads Rally Against CAFTA
http://michaud.house.gov/newsroom_details.asp?id=398

~snips~

Hundreds join together to oppose CAFTA, outsourcing of American jobs - May 10, 2005


WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Michael Michaud (Democrat - Representing the Second District of Maine) today led a rally with members of the House of Representatives, labor leaders, and hundreds of workers from around the United States and the Dominican Republic, all opposed to the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).

“Today we are in front of the Capitol Building, a symbol of prosperity and hope, to tell President Bush that we are sick and tired of waving from the shores as one more job is being outsourced,” said Congressman Michaud. “We are here to tell him that it’s time to get off the fast track of lost jobs and shattered dreams and onto the right track of fair trade and more opportunities.”

Trade promotion authority, or “fast track,” does not permit Congress to amend trade agreements such as CAFTA. Instead, Congress must take an up or down vote on ratification. A vote on CAFTA is expected this spring, and Congressman Michaud is working with a broad, bipartisan group of Members of Congress to shed light on the harmful provisions of the agreement.