[Ip-health] TAC Statements on Traditional Healers, THO Demonstrations and Matthias Rath

[Zackie Achmat]

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Today's electronic newsletter deals with the Traditional Healers'
Organisation's/Rath Foundation demonstrations against the TAC.

23 November 2004

Contents
*	TAC statement on THO March to TAC offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg
*	TAC exposes profiteer Matthias Rath
*	Minister of Health blocks the Medicines Control Council from litigating
against Matthias Rath
*	Text extracts of THO/Rath statements defaming the TAC


TAC Supports Traditional Healers


TAC calls for investment into and regulation of traditional medicine

On 23 November the Traditional Healers' Organisation (THO) and the Dr Rath
Foundation will demonstrate outside TAC offices in Cape Town and
Johannesburg. The THO and Rath complain that TAC only promotes
antiretrovirals for HIV/AIDS treatment and that TAC ignores traditional
medicines and nutrition. The TAC says this is not true.

The TAC recognises the role of traditional healers in caring for both the
psychological and physical well-being of many people in South Africa. We
also believe that nutrition is central to HIV/AIDS care.

TAC supports the following campaigns for traditional healers:

*	The TAC believes that there are traditional medicines that work but proof
of their safety and efficacy requires scientific data. Therefore we applaud
the efforts by the Medical Research Council Traditional Medicines Research
Unit and government to research traditional medicines. The TAC supports the
call by traditional-healers for more investment into researching traditional
medicines.
*	Many people use traditional medicines, but they continue to die of AIDS.
This shows why it is important to invest more money into researching
traditional medicines so that safe and effective treatments can be
identified, and that medicines that harm people can be withdrawn. It also
shows that traditional healers should be trained about the latest science
and treatment of HIV/AIDS so they can advise their patients better.
*	Pharmaceutical companies that use traditional medicines in their products
must compensate the communities that developed them. Intellectual property
protection for traditional medicines is necessary so that communities and
traditional healers benefit from money made through the sale of
pharmaceutical products that contain traditional medicines.
*	The implementation of government's Operational Plan for Comprehensive HIV
and AIDS Care, Management and Treatment for South Africa will be more
successful if traditional healers are part of it. This would mean providing
training to traditional healers on the science, prevention, treatment and
care of HIV/AIDS.

The THO has made inaccurate allegations against the TAC which we correct
here:

*	The TAC is independent of the pharmaceutical industry and receives no
funding from them (See details of TAC's finances at
http://www.tac.org.za/Documents/FinancialDocs.htm). We are frequently in
conflict with pharmaceutical companies. Our finances are open for public
scrutiny and a model of good governance. We challenge Rath and the THO to
produce any evidence that improperly links TAC to any drug company. Our
sources of funding and our audited statements are on our website for all to
see. We demand that THO and Dr. Rath declare all their sources of funding
and how they spend it.
*	The TAC does not ignore the side-effects of antiretroviral medicines.
Side-effects are discussed in detail at our workshops and in our pamphlets
and booklets on antiretrovirals. We use these medicines and it is in our
interest to ensure that side-effects are detected and managed.
*	The TAC does not ignore nutrition, but considers it a vital part of the
management of HIV. This is why we have published widely distributed fact
sheets on nutrition and why nutrition is a topic of our treatment literacy
workshops (see
http://www.tac.org.za/Documents/Literacy/nutrition_fact_sheet.pdf). We
demand that government provides food parcels to every person who needs them.
But, nutrition is not enough for people with AIDS.
*	The TAC does not campaign only for antiretroviral medicines. We support
the use of any medicine that has been demonstrated in scientific tests to be
safe and effective for treating HIV opportunistic infections, including
cotrimoxazole, acyclovir, fluconazole and many others. We have supported
government legislation to make all medicines more affordable.
*	The TAC is not aware of a single occasion where an official TAC
spokesperson or communication has dismissed traditional medicine without
examining the evidence, as the THO alleges.
*	The THO accuses the TAC of not promoting traditional medicines because we
have not researched them. We have asked the THO before for scientific
information on safe and effective traditional medicines but have received
nothing. In fact, TAC paid for a joint workshop held in Gauteng with the
THO.  The THO leaders say they are the country's largest representative of
traditional healers. They are therefore primarily responsible for providing
accurate, evidence-based information on traditional medicines to the TAC and
the public.

We believe these are areas of disagreement between the TAC and the THO:

*	While TAC supports traditional healers, many people are being exploited by
some unethical traditional healers who claim to have cures for AIDS.
*	Only medicines which have been shown to be safe and effective using
scientific tests should be promoted. In South Africa, the Medicines Control
Council (MCC) is responsible for determining which medicines are safe and
effective.
*	Traditional healers should be regulated as with other health professions.
This is to protect consumers from some traditional healers who act
unethically. It is also necessary to protect the reputation and practices of
traditional healers.
*	The distinction between "western medicines" and "traditional medicines" is
wrong and racist. The science of medicine has been developed by communities
all over the world. We should only judge medicines by whether they have been
scientifically tested or not.
*	The public interest and law require that any product that makes any health
claim should demonstrate safety, efficacy and quality. This applies to
everyone who sells "treatments", "cures" and "medicines".

We ask the THO to answer the following questions:

1.	Which traditional medicines have been shown to be safe and effective for
treating HIV/AIDS?
2.	What is the THO doing to inform the public about these medicines as well
as their correct use?
3.	Will the THO publish a list of all herbs and compounds that it recommends
for every illness with the evidence of safety and efficacy?
4.	What is the THO's policy for dealing with traditional healers who act
unethically?
5.	Why is the THO's march being supported by people such as Anthony Brink
who deny that HIV causes AIDS?

TAC wants to work with traditional healers

The TAC is saddened that THO leaders have chosen to march against us. We
call for traditional healers from all organisations including THO to work
together and genuinely promote responsible use of traditional medicines.
We warn that Dr Rath has financial interests in selling his own products. He
has been stopped from advertising them in England because he makes false
claims. Now he may be trying to sell his unproven and possibly dangerous
medicines to poor people in poor countries.

South Africa is reforming its health-care system; traditional healers must
not be left out. But, alliances with companies like that of the Rath
Foundation will discredit and divide traditional healers.

[END OF STATEMENT ON THO MARCH - BACK TO CONTENTS]

Warning: Who is Dr. Matthias Rath and what is he selling?

Dr. Matthias Rath has recently begun working with the Traditional Healers'
Organisation to mislead the public on HIV/AIDS and the work of the Treatment
Action Campaign.
*	Dr. Rath promotes himself as free from interests in the pharmaceutical
industry, but he owns a pharmaceutical company that sells vitamin products.
He is the founder, Managing Director and President of Matthias Rath Inc. Dr.
Rath should be asked for full information on his profits, sales and
products.
*	Dr Rath promotes himself as someone who sells natural remedies as opposed
to the synthetic medicines of pharmaceutical companies. He attacks the
unethical behaviour of pharmaceutical companies. But his products are also
synthetic as with any other pharmaceutical product. His pharmaceutical
company is worse than other pharmaceutical companies because it ignores the
laws for testing and advertising medicines.
*	Dr. Rath claims to campaign against pharmaceutical company profiteering
and their patents, but he owns at least five patents in the United States!
(Patents: 6693129, 6686340, 5650418, 5278189, 5230996 - thank you to
Bukopharma, an organisation based in Germany that monitors pharmaceutical
companies, for supplying this.)
*	The Medicines Control Council (MCC) is the organisation tasked with
approving medicines that have been tested and found to be safe and
effective. We ask why does Dr. Rath not want his products to be tested by
the MCC?
*	The British Advertising Standards Authority has forced Dr. Rath to remove
his advertising for treatments as they were unsupported by evidence and
misled the public. See:
	http://www.asa.org.uk/adjudications/show_adjudication.asp?adjudication_id=3
0238&from_index=by_sector&dates_of_adjudications_id=all
<http://www.asa.org.uk/adjudications/show_adjudication.asp?adjudication_id=3
0238&from_index=by_sector&dates_of_adjudications_id=all>
*	Dr Rath's products are not allowed to be sold in Switzerland. They are not
approved as medicines or nutritional supplements. See:
http://www.quackwatch.org/11Ind/rath.html
*	The Food and Drug Administration in the USA has cautioned Dr. Rath for
advertising certain of his products in contravention of US law. Dr. Rath
claims they have health benefits which means they should be classified as
medicines, but no evidence of their safety or effectiveness has been
provided. See:
	http://www.fda.gov/cder/warn/cyber/2002/CFSANvitacor.htm
*	Because he is not allowed to promote his products in the US, UK, Germany
and Switzerland, Dr Rath may now be trying to sell his products to poor
people in poor countries. He has recently started to advertise in South
African newspapers.
*	Dr Rath's company website advertises a range of products. Despite his
claims that these products cure or prevent many diseases, the adverts
include the disclaimer that "This product is not intended to diagnose,
treat, cure or prevent any disease."
*	The prices of the products from Matthias Rath Ltd are extortionate. His
basic vitamin tablets cost $29.95 per month - equivalent to R180 per month.
The more expensive combinations of tablets can cost people up to R3,500 per
month. Dr Rath's interest is in making money from unproven and possibly
dangerous products, not helping people as he claims.
*	Some of the pills produced by Matthias Rath Ltd contain quantities of
vitamins which are three times over the recommended daily intake. He sells
doses so large that they are illegal in Germany.
*	Dr Matthias Rath is an AIDS Denialist. Dr Rath rejects the overwhelming
evidence that HIV causes AIDS. He also states that the primary cause of
heart attacks, strokes, cancer and other diseases is a lack of vitamins. He
appears not to recognise the role of the other 300+ accepted factors linked
to these diseases.
*	Dr Rath claims that "Our research has shown that a combination of vitamin
C with the natural amino acids lysine, proline, and specific extracts from
green tea can block the invasion of cancer cells" (
www.stopping-cancer-naturally.org
<http://www.stopping-cancer-naturally.org> ). However, the Swiss Study Group
for Complementary and Alternative Methods in Cancer, have found no proof
that any of Dr Rath's products have any impact upon human cancer.

We all want cures for the diseases that afflict us. Even though medical
science has improved tremendously over the last few hundred years, there are
still many unanswered questions. There are seldom quick and easy solutions.
Dr. Rath is taking advantage of people with real problems and offering them
quick and easy fixes which are expensive and do not work. We urge you not to
be deceived by him.

[END OF STATEMENT ON RATH - BACK TO CONTENTS]

Minister of Health blocks MCC from litigating against Matthias Rath

In recent months, Dr. Matthias Rath has run a series of libelous attack
advertisements on the South African Medicines Control Council in the Mail &
Guardian. Rath accuses the MCC of being in the pockets of drug companies.
The TAC has learnt that the Minister of Health blocked the MCC from
litigating against Rath for defamation. We therefore ask the Minister of
Health:
1.	Why are you protecting Matthias Rath?
2.	Why have you not come to the defence of the MCC?
3.	Matthias Rath has on a number of occasions stated that he supports you.
Are you prepared to distance yourself publicly from Matthias Rath and his
theories?
[END OF STATEMENT ON MINISTER OF HEALTH AND RATH - BACK TO CONTENTS]

Extracts of text from THO statements and pamphlets

We reprint below extracts from THO statements and pamphlets released in the
last few days which demonstrate the   false allegations they have made
against the TAC.

"On Wednesday the 17th of November 2004 the Traditional Healers Organization
(THO) and the Dr. Rath Health Foundation announced in a joint press
statement that they stand united against the "profit over people strategy"
of the pharmaceutical investment business with disease in South Africa."

"The THO, the largest Traditional Healer formation in the country and a
member organization of the pharmaceutically connected TAC, will Picket the
Treatment Action Campaign's (TAC's) Gauteng Provincial Office and the
National Office in Cape Town simultaneously on Tuesday the 23rd of November
2004."

"This is an opportune time for these pickets as it coincides with the
sixteen days of activism on violence against women and children.  It is
mainly women and children who are affected by HIV/AIDS and that are being
abused by the lack of information on African Traditional Medicines and other
treatment options, not to mention being given drugs like AZT and Nevirapin
that have devastating side effects.  There is nothing more violent than
giving an innocent child, who has no choice, deadly drug that impact on
their long term health."

"The reason for the picket is that we believe the general public should be
fully informed about the deadly side effects of anti-retroviral (ARVs)
treatments which the TAC, pharmaceutical companies and the media tend to
ignore or down play the major side effects and the stringent compliance
issues.  We are also picketing to let them know that they should promote
information on all forms of treatments, not just ARVs.  They must stop
misinforming the public about the safety and efficacy issues in relation to
African Traditional Medicines (ATMs), Complementary Medicines (CMs),
supplements and good nutrition.  Numerous times the TAC, pharmaceutical
companies and the media slander and ridicule ATMs, CMs, supplements and
nutrition without reason, their statements are totally unfounded.  When they
are informed about research evidence they denounce the evidence without even
looking at any of the materials.  This must stop and people must be fully
informed so as to make the best decision for their own health, whether it be
the choice to use ARVs, TMs, CMs, supplements or good nutrition solely or in
combination, that is the individual's choice."

"The TAC and PMA have ridiculed Traditional Medicine and Traditional Health
Practitioners consistently without basis for too long. To attempt to put
down those people who advocate for ATM, CMs, supplements and nutrition by
calling them 'quacks' and the like is a true indication of disrespect and
bears testimony to the fact that the TAC and the PMA do not take Traditional
Medicines and the profession seriously.  They only use Traditional Health
Practitioners as stooges to promote their own agenda, stealing valuable
Indigenous Knowledge (IK), which is used as the basis for making western
drugs where they isolate and synthesise these natural substances.  None of
the knowledge that is stolen from Traditional Healers globally is ever
acknowledged and the pharmaceutical cartels make a fortune off the backs of
Traditional Health Practitioners by making synthetic drugs with massive side
effects.  The original natural products in 99.9% of cases when used
correctly do not have side effects.  It is amazing that the pharmaceutical
industry and the TAC can continue to ridicule ATMs, other CMs, supplements
and good nutrition when more than 60% of western drugs are based on natural
traditional medicines.  We ask why western medicine bases their drugs on
Traditional Medicines if they are not effective? The only reason
pharmaceutical companies synthesise these Traditional Medicines is for
patenting reasons so they can make a fortune in royalties from IK, as
natural products are not able to be patented."

"This nation currently faces an unprecedented attack from two sides on the
rights of our people to have free access
to life saving natural and Traditional Medicines:

"1.The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) has been financially groomed by the
Rockefeller Foundation, which holds shares in over 200 pharmaceutical
corporations. The Rockefeller family was historically the driving force
behind the creation of what is known today as the pharmceutical investment
business. A major part of this years funding comes from the Atlantic
Philantrophies, where a member of the board of directors is the financial
advisor of the Rockefeller family.  Accordingly TAC tries to silence all
critics of the devastating side effects and ineffectivesness of AIDS Drugs
(ARVs) and promoters of non-toxic natural treatments such as ATMs and
essential nutrients.  With their budget of R18 million this year, the TAC
conducts massive public campaigns to coerce the South African government
into distributing these toxic pharmaceutical drugs to the most vulnerable
parts of its population.  Sadly, most low-ranking members and supporters of
the TAC are completely unaware that the organisation has been directed to
advance the financial interests of the pharmaceutical business with disease.
With two out of three drugs on the world market produced under patent
protection in the US and the UK alone, the health care systems of the 200
countries of the world are being held hostage in this new form or
Pharmaceutical Colonialism.

"2.In order to ensure futher billion-rand profits from the sale of patented
synthethic drugs the pharmaceutical industry is abusing its financial
influence over the Medicines Control Council (MCC) to ban all natural and
traditional therapies in South Africa.  The MCC proposed recently to put all
natural therapies under a pharmaceutical regulatory control system that will
effectively outlaw all natural options to the toxic, mostly ineffective but
extremely profitable, synthetic drugs of the pharmaceutical industry.  This
ban would make traditional and natural medicine inaccessible to those most
in need in Sout Africa, namely the poor and black population. MCC's decision
making external consultants are supposed to protect the people from
dangerous pharmaceutical.  Unbeknown to the public and government these
people who have only the interests of the industry in mind, not the health
of the people.  In fear of a public lawsuit that might reveal the full
extent of this scandal the MCC no longer challenges public statements by the
Dr. Rath Health Foundation that all of its decision-making members are
directly or indirectly on the payroll of the pharmaceutical industry."

"The THO supports the enlightened position of the South African government
toward African Traditonal Medicines and natural therapies.  However, we see
these nobel efforts being sabotaged by unaccountable individuals and
institutions at lower levels who refuse or are not willing to implement the
government policies for the people."

"We DEMAND: ...
The TAC disclose all their indirect financial connections with
pharmaceutical investment groups; and that they be disbanded to be
substituted by a truly independent organisation that fulfills the TAC
Constiution and informes the South African public comprehensively about the
full story on all forms of treatment options - ATMs, CMs, supplements, good
nutrition and ARVs.
A formal investigation into the MCC's decision-making members' financial
conflict of interests, to root out the drug industry's influence once and
for all."

"The TAC ... be disbanded"

"Dr. Matthias Rath is the world renowned researcher for natural health
therapies who led the scientific breakthrough against cardiovascular
disease, cancer and viral diseases by natural means. He is the founder of
the Dr. Rath Health Foundation that is leading the worldwide struggle
against the interests of the pharmaceutical investment business with disease
and for free access to life saving natural therapies. With his campaign
"Break the Chains of Pharmaceutical Colonialism", the Dr. Rath Health
Foundation supports the fight of the South African people and the government
to make effective and affordable natural health a reality for all."

"More than 60% of western medicines are based on Traditional Medicines.
Traditional Healers from around the globe benefit nothing from this while
pharmaceutical companies make billions of dollars and these medicines are
not as effective as the natural product that were modeled from - a
Traditional Medicine.  Scientists and Pharmacists take the natural product,
isolate a certain ingredient and make a synthetic (not natural) version of
the active ingredient.  Then they state that Traditional Medicines do not
work.  They steal the information, make money, then slander Traditional
Medicines and misrepresent them by talking of side effects and the like.

"The fact is Traditional Medicines are not the ones with the side effects.
It is the process of isolating one ingredient that causes the side effects.
Scientists do not realise that God made the plants as a whole with all
ingredients having their purpose.  The so called 'active ingredient' may be
the one that treats a particular illness but the other substances are
necessary to balance that ingredient and prevent side effects."

"The TAC should leave the government to do its work."

"The government had justifiable concerns about the ARV rollout being unsure
of the full benefits of ARVs weighed against the severe side effects; they
are concerned about the long term health of the nation, not band-aid tactics
that worsen the severity of the situation in the end.  The concerns are
correct and structures still are not in place and the people and medical
staff are not informed about the compliance issues and side effects.

"The TAC must stop these intimidatory tactics toward the government.  These
tactics only assist the pharmaceutical cartels and definitely not the people
of South Africa.  The government is attempting to ensure that the people of
South Africa are fully aware of all aspects of ARV treatment and that all
necessary processes are in place to guarantee appropriate access to
treatment, information and food are available first and foremost.

"The TAC forced the government to implement the rollout of ARV before staff
were trained, food guaranteed, an assurance that government could prvide
enough ARVs and full information given to the general public in relation to
the drastic side effects of ARVs."

[END OF EXTRACTS OF THO STATEMENTS - BACK TO CONTENTS]

[END OF NEWSLETTER]
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