Impact of TTIP's general clauses on the public health sector

9.11.2016

Question for written answer E-008447-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE)

Although the negotiating mandates make it clear that key public services, such as health and education, are excluded from the transatlantic trade and investment partnership agreement, some medical organisations in southern Europe have raised concerns over the implications of the proposed agreement’s general clauses on the pharmaceutical industry and the provision of certain services in the health sector.

These concerns are centred around the impact the partnership agreement could have on the regulation of patents and on the final cost of drugs, as well as the possibility of North American companies entering the European health services and insurance market. In light of the progress made in the negotiations,

1. Do these professional organisations have grounds for concern?

2. While protecting investment and boosting R&D, is the Commission considering in some way to regulate the prices of patented drugs to limit the sale price and thus prevent unfair profits which would violate a citizen’s right to health?