MEDIA RELEASE
3 February 2016

Health groups across NZ are repeating their call for an independent expert health impact assessment of the draft TPP agreement. Dr Alex Macmillan from OraTaiao: The NZ Climate and Health Council says: “New Zealanders need to know the full impact of this deal on our health and health system.”

“We share the concerns of the World Medical Association - and we agree with the NZMA that last week’s National Interest Analysis does not adequately address health impacts.”

“Our freedom to pass laws for a healthy country and climate - and respond to new health threats - is non-negotiable.” says Dr Macmillan. “To quote the World Health Organisation’s Director-General: ‘one particularly disturbing trend is the use of foreign investment agreements to handcuff governments and reduce their policy space.’ “

“TPPA health risks range from new medicines moving further out of reach of New Zealanders, to our fundamental freedom to legislate for better health.”

Dr Macmillan concludes: “For our health’s sake, the TPPA needs an urgent check-up.”

ENDS

Media Spokesperson
Dr Alex Macmillan, OraTaiao Co-convenor
Mob. 021 322 625   [email protected]

Other contact
Rob Zorn, Stonefish Web and Communications Ltd, 04 476 0427 | [email protected]

Background 

OraTaiao: The New Zealand Climate and Health Council are health professionals calling for urgent and fair climate action – with real health gains now and for our future. See: www.orataiao.org.nz

WHO Director-General quote: www.who.int/dg/speeches/2014/wha-19052014/en/