AMA backs Labour's FTA stance

This from the ABC website http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200408/s1168456.htm
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has backed Labor's plan to protect the price of subsidised medicines, which the Opposition has set as a condition for its support for the free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States.
Labor wants protection for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in the form of laws to stop major drug companies delaying the introduction of cheaper generic medicines.
Prime Minister John Howard has ruled out accepting the amendment because he says there are already adequate safeguards in place.
Debate on the FTA will resume in the Senate today.
AMA vice president Mukesh Haikerwal says Labor's proposals will strengthen existing arrangements.
"The benefits of the current scheme are that we do have a review process that is independent and that there is some transparency," he said.
"Increasing the transparency and by enshrining the situation of access and generic drugs being allowed on [the market] quicker will actually make the situation better."