Trade Minister Andrew Robb has again dismissed claims the 12-country Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) could undermine Australia's health system.
Mr Robb was speaking after negotiators from the 12 countries, including Australia, concluded a week of talks in Hawaii.
Mr Robb remains optimistic the agreement, which would cover 40 per cent of the world's economy, could be signed in the next month.
In an interview with the ABC, Mr Robb dismissed continued claims the Government would agree to anything in the TPP that would undermine Australia's health system.
"Why would I? Why would I go and tear up the system?" he said.
"My view is most of the scare campaign, and that's what it is, it's pre-meditated ... it's designed to frighten people about any sort of trade agreement."
Anti-free trade advocates have used outdated leaks of the TPP's draft intellectual property chapter to claim that a US push for an extension to data exclusivity would lead to an increase in the price of medicines.
It is not clear, even based on their own analysis, how an extension to data exclusivity would increase the price of medicines in Australia. In addition, what analyses they have produced do not consider the benefit of any change to Australia's intellectual property laws, particularly for the biotechnology sector.
AusBiotech joined with Research Australia and Medicines Australia earlier this week to pen an open letter calling on Australia to ensure a globally competitive intellectual property system, particularly in relation to data exclusivity.
They also dismissed claims that enhanced data exclusivity provisions would undermine Australia's health system.
Mr Robb said he opposed any extension to medical patents but would not rule it out.
"As soon as I rule one thing in or out then we get into — there's thousands of decisions to be taken," he said. "So all I'm saying is I see absolutely no reason, and we oppose it, and I'm not seeing pressure in the negotiations for an increase."