[Pharm-policy] PhRMA claims South Africa government agreed to delay in litigation over Medicines Act

[James Love]

In its Dec 3, 1999 NTE submission, PhRMA claims that the South African
government has agreed to delay the litigation over the South African
Medicines Act.  I don't know that this is true, and indeed, the only
press release I have seen from the South Africa government (and my own
conversations with SA officials), says the contrary.  

    Jamie


Dec 3, 1999 PhRMA NTE Submisssion:


http://www.phrma.org/issues/intl/safrica.html

"In 1998, over 40 pharmaceutical companies operating in South Africa,
and the South African Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (SA PMA)
filed a legal challenge to the Medicines Act before the Constitutional
Court in South Africa, a new, post-apartheid institution. Both sides
have filed briefs before the Court, but the industry has made clear its
preference for a negotiated, mutually acceptable solution to the
dispute. In June 1999, South Africa held its second free national
elections, as a result of which a new Cabinet was appointed. Via the SA
PMA, the industry immediately made overtures to the new Government, for
the purpose of reaching a mutually acceptable solution to the dispute
over the Medicines Act. As a part of the ongoing dialogue between the
industry and the Government, both parties to the litigation have agreed
to a delay in the schedule of the legal challenge."


-- 
James Love
http://www.cptech.org
mailto:love@cptech.org
voice 1.202.387.8030