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Open letter to the Department of Trade and Industry

In the open letter to the Department of Trade and Industry below, we request a meeting with Minister Rob Davies to discuss (1) South Africa’s IP policy; (2) amendments that South Africa can make to its laws to facilitate access to more affordable generic medicines; and, (3) our concerns around the upcoming Africa IP Summit. […]

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South Africa’s Intellectual Property Policy: process for public consultation?

South Africa is currently developing a policy for intellectual property protection in the country. On 19 August 2011 it was reported that Jodi Scholtz, group COO of the DTI stated:  “The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) intends to submit the Intellectual Property (IP) draft policy to Cabinet next month to secure approval to undertake […]

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IP summit for Africa?

Civil society responds to the push by US and others to expand IP protections and enforcement through Africa IP Summit in Cape Town From 3 – 5 April, the Africa Intellectual Property Forum: Intellectual Property, Regional Integration and Economic Growth in Africa (‘the Africa IP Summit’) will be held at the International Convention Center in […]

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Highlighting medicines affected by strict IP laws: Linezolid

Generic name: Linezolid Brand name: Zyvox and Zyvoxid Cost in South Africa: R282.25 per 600 mg tablet in the public sector and R593.01 per 600 mg tablet in the private sector (SEP ex VAT) Linezolid is used in the treatment of drug resistant tuberculosis (TB) and other serious infections. It is recommended to treat complicated […]

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Fix the Patent Laws: Campaigning for pro-public health reform of South Africa’s Patents Act

A Treatment Action Campaign briefing document Background The Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (“the TRIPS agreement”), effective from 1 January 1995, set standards of intellectual property protection that member states of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) are required to uphold in their own national laws.[1] The TRIPS agreement requires WTO member countries […]

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