Doctors join the 100,000 petitioners on the TPPA

We’re not “politically irrelevant” and we’re not “anti-trade”.

“The TPPA needs a health check-up. We need to see the test results so we know that it won’t let pharmaceutical companies stretch our patent laws to make future medicines more expensive” said Dr Josh Freeman, Infectious disease specialist, of Doctors for Healthy Trade.

Thousands of community groups, artists, musicians, activists, Māori leaders, small and medium-sized business owners, not-for-profits, environmentalists, students, doctors, local councillors and grassroots campaigners from all around New Zealand have joined forces to say no to the TPPA. This massive collaborative effort comes off the back of Trade Minister Tim Groser dismissing opponents of the TPPA as "anti-trade" "politically irrelevant" "breathless children".

“Of course we support international trade - it makes total sense that New Zealand imports cotton for surgical drapes and bananas because those things don’t grow well here. But we don’t support deals that would give tobacco companies the opportunity to sue us for following Australia and bringing in plain packaging.” said Dr Freeman

Petitions of concern have been signed by more than 100,000 people. The groups involved in the petitions will be handing over a joint petition at Parliament on Wednesday 12th August as part of a TPPA lunchtime rally.

ENDS

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