'We won't sign TPPA if price of medicine increases'

PARLIAMENT The Malaysian government is dead set against any extension of intellectual property rights involving medicine in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), which may see the prices of generic medication skyrocket.

"On patents involving the price of medication... we are adamant, we don't want the current regime to change; we will defend existing policies," said International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapha Mohamed (right) during question time in the Dewan Rakyat this morning.

"If we don't agree, we can choose not to sign. We will protect our national interest. If we don't agree with some of the terms, we will not proceed," assured the Jeli MP.

Mustapha was fielding a supplementary question from Anuar Musa (BN-Keterah), after answering the original question from Charles Santiago (DAP-Klang) on concerns about the impact of the TPPA on our sovereignty.

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