The peak lobby group for American pharmaceutical manufacturers has been given privileged access to negotiations for a major regional trade pact that could see the cost of medicines skyrocket in Australia.

Public health advocates and business groups are concerned that pharmaceutical giants will be able to advance their commercial interests in the once-in-a-lifetime pact through their seat at the negotiating table, while the details are kept secret from the Australian public.

Health and community organisations express concerns about the TPP: Trade Minister Andrew Robb. Credit:Louise Kennerley

Some of the measures that Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) has publicly lobbied to be included in the Trans Pacific Partnership have subsequently appeared in draft versions of the agreement that have been leaked by Wikileaks.

These include 12 years of data protection - which would restrict the use of clinical trial data to register competing products - extended patent protections and allowing patents to be granted on minor variations to existing drugs.