The two public consultations on the Draft National Policy on Intellectual Property, 2013, run by the TAC, MSF and SECTION27 in Cape Town and Johannesburg on September 27th, led to the following general conclusions: –Participants were happy about the direction of the policy and felt reforms could bring down prices, but wanted further details on how it will be implemented and what the […]
READ MOREThe Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and SECTION27 invite their members, and interested members of the public and local media to attend a consultation regarding the Draft National Policy on Intellectual Property, 2013, which was recently released by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for public comment. Consultations will take place […]
READ MOREBy Professor Yousuf Vawda, School of Law, University of KwaZulu-Natal Those opposed to the introduction of substantive patent examination in South Africa (and increased IP protection over medicines and other innovations) base their arguments on flawed assumptions: 1. ‘It is highly unlikely that patent applications which have been granted in developed countries would be refused […]
READ MOREHealth groups call for wide public consultation Johannesburg, 9 September – The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and SECTION27 welcome the announcement that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has called for public comment on the long-overdue draft National Policy on Intellectual Property (IP). The DTI has taken heed of calls […]
READ MOREThe Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) welcomes the approval by the US Food and Drug Administration of the antiretroviral medicine dolutegravir. This is a new integrase inhibitor (brand name Tivicay) that could potentially become a vital drug in the global struggle against HIV. TAC calls on all parties involved to ensure widespread availability of Dolutegravir in […]
READ MOREBy Professor Brook K. Baker, Senior Policy Analyst Health GAP This analysis from Professor Baker is in response to the Memorandum issued by TAC and MSF last week and the subsequent news article published in Business Day Live on 8th August found here. — This is a very positive development, largely resulting from a national […]
READ MOREPRETORIA – The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) today delivered a memorandum to the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) at the National Workshop on Intellectual Property and Public Health in Pretoria, outlining needed reforms to South Africa’s patent laws in order to expand access to more affordable drugs. The country’s […]
READ MOREThis is a memorandum dated 7th August delivered to representatives from the Department for Trade and Industry, including Minister Rob Davies, ahead of a workshop in coordination with the WTO, WHO, WIPO calling on the DTI to urgently “Fix the Patent Laws” to improve South Africans’ access to medicines. You can access the original memorandum here. The […]
READ MOREThis article was originally published by eNCA on 23rd July 2013 and can be accessed here. A further interview with MSF Access Campaign Advocacy Officer Julia Hill can also be found there. CAPE TOWN – The country’s patent laws are costing ill people dearly. South Africans are denied access to affordable medication because drug companies […]
READ MOREThis is an open letter dated 23rd July from the Treatment Action Campaign sent to USTR Ambassador Michael Froman outlining our concerns with mounting US pressure aiming to restrict India’s generic medicines industry. You can find the original letter here. Dear Ambassador Froman, The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) of South Africa is extremely concerned […]
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