Senior doctors ask Government for independent health assessment of trade deal

The union for senior doctors is asking the Government when an independent assessment will be carried out into the health impact of the international trade deal formerly known as the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).

“This is an important issue for our members and the communities they work with so we’re looking for some clarity from the new Government,” says Angela Belich, Deputy Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS).

ASMS, the Council of Trade Unions and several affiliates met with Trade Minister David Parker and officials from two government departments last month to discuss the former TPPA, now renamed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership (CPATPP).

ASMS asked where the new Government stood on the call of many organisations, including ASMS, for an independent health impact assessment. A follow-up meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade was held and, after some discussion, ASMS decided to write to both the Ministers of Trade and Health to ask when an independent assessment would be done.

“Senior doctors and dentists have previously expressed strong concerns about the likely impact of the TPPA, and we need to make sure that this is properly assessed,” says Ms Belich.

ENDS

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