ACDP applauds Health Minister’s commitment to ensuring access to more affordable medicines

MEDIA RELEASE
Cheryllyn Dudley, MP and Whip
21 January 2014

ACDP applauds Health Minister’s commitment to ensuring access to more affordable medicines

• alleged campaign by multinational pharmaceutical companies against proposed South African patent laws not in best interests of people

Foreign companies are said to be spending R6 million to dissuade government from passing legislation that promotes access to more affordable medicines.

Cheryllyn Dudley, ACDP Member of Parliament and Member on the Health Portfolio Committee today said: “The ACDP applauds the Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s firm stand against any attempt by pharmaceutical companies to directly or indirectly exploit or deprive people in South Africa who are in need of medication. While we understand that profit margins will always be a priority for companies and pharmaceutical companies are no exception – it is not, and cannot be government’s priority. Responsible government must prioritise the needs of people living in South Africa and act in their best interests.

Government is expected to bring national law in line with international norms, so they can take action when inflated prices put crucial medicines out of reach.

South Africa’s patent system is considered by many stakeholders - to be biased toward benefiting international pharmaceutical companies through the granting of patents which are considered to be excessive in number - compared to both developed and developing countries.”