U.S., AUSTRALIA TEXT DROPS CONTROVERSIAL PHARMACEUTICAL LANGUAGE

The text of the U.S. and Australia free trade agreement released this week shows that controversial language prohibiting the export of subsidized Australian pharmaceuticals to the U.S. has been dropped from the agreement. Neither an annex detailing the agreement's provisions on pharmaceuticals, nor side letters detailing changes to Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) contains the contentious language. Congressional sources said the provision was cut out in an attempt to silence congressional opposition to the measure that began to grow shortly...