“We write to you in advance of Canada’s meeting with senior trade officials from TPP countries on May 2–3 in Toronto to map out the future of the agreement in light of the United States’ withdrawal. This meeting presents a critical opportunity for Canada to demonstrate human rights leadership—both nationally and globally.
“As it stands, the intellectual property chapter and other provisions of the TPP will undermine the ability of some of the world’s poorest people to gain access to affordable medicines, and will be detrimental to Canadians’ access in the longer term. If the deal advances in its current form, individuals, public health systems and insurance providers will have to spend more to purchase drugs. Many of the world’s poorest people will not be able to afford these drugs, and many will suffer ill health or death as a result.”