Press Statement
Treatment Action Campaign
http://www.tac.org.za
808 Dumbarton House, Church Street, Cape Town. Tel: 021-423 5026 Fax: 4265046
PO Box 31104, Braamfontein 2017, Johannesburg. Tel: 011-403-0265 Fax: 011-403 2106
Press Statement
Treatment Action Campaign
http://www.tac.org.za
808 Dumbarton House, Church Street, Cape Town. Tel: 021-423 5026 Fax: 4265046
PO Box 31104, Braamfontein 2017, Johannesburg. Tel: 011-403-0265 Fax: 011-403 2106
For Immediate Release
07 February 2001
CIPLA OFFERS HIV/AIDS ANTI-RETROVIRALS AT R400.00 PER MONTH!
JOIN THE TAC MARCH FOR AFFORDABLE HIV/AIDS MEDICINES!
The Indian generic medicines producer, Cipla has offered all governments in poor countries triple HIV anti-retroviral therapy at R400.00 per month (US$600.00 per year). It has also offered MSF these drugs R280.00 per month. These drugs include Nevirapine, Stavudine/D4T and Lamivudine/3TC.
TAC welcomes the unilateral and significant price reduction by CIPLA. Now, the only obstacles major in the way of access to HIV/AIDS medicines, are the patents of drug companies such as Bristol-Myers Squibb, Glaxo-SmithKline and Boehringer Ingelheim. TAC calls on the government to use and produce generic anti-retrovirals. The government will have to apply for compulsory licences to accept the offers from Brazil and CIPLA.
Minister Alec Erwin and the Department of Trade and Industry must issue a statement of intent to apply for compulsory licences. Section 78 of the Patents Act (NO. 57 OF 1978) gives the Minister of Trade and Industry the power to issue a compulsory licence for generic anti-retrovirals. Section 58 reads as follows: "Acquisition of invention or patent by State.-The Minister (of Trade and Industry) may, on behalf of the State, acquire, on such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon, any invention or patent."
There can be no question that Minister Erwin has the power to negotiate licences for all HIV/AIDS drugs. Such a licence can be used to allow a range of generic producers to begin local generic production and, where necessary to import these drugs. TAC calls on the Minister Erwin to fulfill his constitutional obligations without delay.
On Monday, 12th February 2001 TAC will host an inter-faith service and march on parliament against drug company profiteering and to support the Medicines Act. TAC supports the Medicines Act. Only a legal framework controlling profiteering will ensure affordable medicines on a sustainable basis. The majority of multinational drug companies have taken the government to Court. Every person in South Africa will benefit from cheaper medicines should this legislation pass. We ask everyone to join the March and to join TAC!
-30-