Much of the debate over the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement centres on whether and how it will affect the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. In this Research Note Kate Burton examines the parts of AUSFTA that have caused the most concern and assesses their likely impact on the PBS.

The Australia-US Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) covers a number of issues and this paper by David Richardson deals with Chapter 17 on Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs). It first examines AUSFTA's attempts to entrench or enhance Australia's already strong IPRs. The general economic arguments are examined as well as the Australian and US interests in stronger...

This is one of a number of Information and Research Services Products being developed to address various facets of the proposed Free Trade Agreement and which will be progressively released over coming weeks. David Richardson looks at how the agreement treats foreign investment.

There has been ongoing speculation as to whether, and if so how, the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) might be affected by US-Australian Free Trade negotiations. The US pharmaceutical industry has been concerned about the role played by the PBS, and other arrangements in Australia, in lowering the profitability of the US industry in Australia.

Jacob Varghese provides a brief overview of some potential areas of Australian law that may be affected.