I wouldn't usually say anything but...

I received an email last night from my Mum. It had an odd subject line to be coming from her (possible virus?) but I read it anyway. Anyone who knows me knows that I will usually read something for myself before deciding whether or not something is on the "up and up" and I think that in this case I am satisfied.

Greetings UAW women - this is about Mark Vaile's decision to lift the ban on 'evergreening'.

You need to know because it threatens the availability of generic brand drugs we ALL use which become available once the patent has expired on the 'name brand' originals, such as 'Renitec'.

Pharmaceutical companies make and patent small variations in their original chemical recipe for a drug - such small changes which may not alter their effect BUT they apply for and get a separate patent. When the patent expires - 10 years - on the original - they invoke the new
patent. They then become the SOLE legal manufacturer for your lifetime, and your daughter's, and our granddaughter's.

Mark Latham secured an agreement with the Liberals to outlaw this practise - now the Senate-cocky Government is about to revoke this part of the legislation. They claim it's not needed!!!

Australia has the cheapest pharmaceuticals in the world due to the savvy negotiating done for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. This is under immediate threat. International Pharmaceutical companies have been pressuring the Australian Government for years to allow them a better share of OUR wages.

This will effect WELL people not merely the chronically ill: the average older Aussie is on 5 different medications.

YOUR OBJECTION to Vaile is NEEDED now - the holiday period will silence many other voices. Demand that the Amendments to the Free trade Agreement NOT be revoked.

You will need to go to Mark Vaile's - ACTING Prime Minister and Minister for TRADE - personal Home page. He no longer has a Parliament House email address - neither does Howard or Costello, this came as a shock to me - you might guess that it's because there has been a stampede of citizen emailing. This move may make bulk emailing to them
impossible.

http://www.markvaile.com.au/contacts.asp

See the Age Article dated January 3rd

http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Cheap-drugs-will-be-protected-Vaile/2006/01/03/1136050413398.html

Death and taxes are inevitable - add to this - the Government ALWAYS pulls a dirty
stunt just before or just after Christmas.

I ask you to make up your own mind. That is all.