Lotti Rutter from TAC presenting during the Public Meeting on 22 February 2013 “Big Pharma: Putting Profit Before Public Health?”
Today the People’s Health Movement of South Africa stands in solidarity with fellow activist and civil societies in demanding the finalization of pro-public health IP policy by 7 May elections!
Very recently the Mail and Guardian leaked documents that show how the pharmaceutical companies wanted to stop the policy.
On the 22nd February the People’s Health Movement of South Africa hosted a successful Public Meeting: where we took a critical look at how drug companies in South Africa are trying to undermine the human right to health and other challenges in promoting universal access to good quality essential health care.
Big pharmaceutical companies are making huge profits at the expense of the poor. Essential drugs are being sold to the poor more times than in countries like India.
As PHM SA we call upon the South African Government:
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The Government through the Department of Trade and Industry must release the final policy quite soon.
- We demand that the government urgently Fix the Patent Laws in South Africa!
- To act swiftly against the super profiteering by Big Pharmaceutical companies.
- Appropriate measures must be taken against the pharmaceutical companies who were planning to stop the policy that we are here to demand.
Again. We would like to notify the DTI that the date for the submission of IP draft policy to Cabinet and the subsequent public comment is now long overdue.
We are now celebrating 20 years of democracy, but what does that democracy mean when the Government is failing to provide affordable drugs to the South Africans.
Billions of Rands are being spent to maintain the countries world class airports and world class stadiums, while the nation is suffering, hospitals and clinics out of essential drugs. It’s high time our government put health on top of the list.
PHM STRONGLY BELIEVES THAT HEALTH IS A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT, AND remember Section 27 OF OUR CONSTITUTION states that “Everyone has the right to access to health services”
FOR COMMENT, AND FUTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Tinashe Njanji PHM-SA National Coordinator: 078 831 5809
Dr Louis Reynolds – PHM-SA Chairman : 082 378 2045