
As NAFTA talks proceed, more than 100 advocacy groups and unions urged negotiators for the U.S., Canada, and Mexico not to take any steps that would undermine access to medicines in North America.
In an open letter, the groups cautioned trade and health officials from the three countries not to reach a deal that would favor the pharmaceutical industry at the expense of patients.
“Any changes to NAFTA should rebalance the agreement’s terms in favor of competition and access to affordable healthcare,” the groups wrote. “… Whatever other goals the Canadian, Mexican, and U.S. governments have for NAFTA’s renegotiations, it is critical to do no further harm with respect to the health and access to affordable medicines of North America’s approximately 500 million people.”