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Nachtrag: Aus aktuellen Anlass CNN-Topstory (www.cnn.com) Drug companies drop S. Africa suit South Africa says it needs cheaper drugs to treat AIDS sufferers April 19, 2001 Web posted at: 4:35 AM EDT (0835 GMT) JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Pharmaceutical companies have dropped their lawsuit challenging a South African law that could provide cheaper, generic versions of patented AIDS drugs. Some of the world`s biggest drug companies filed the legal suit against the government three years ago after South Africa introduced an act allowing cheap imports or the reproduction of generic versions of patented drugs, such as those used to fight AIDS. CNN`s Charlayne Hunter-Gault said the announcement that the 39 companies involved had withdrawn their case was "a major victory for the South African government over the drugs companies." "The court room has erupted with singing and dancing," she said. The case, which had already been postponed for six weeks, had been adjourned on Wednesday by the Pretoria Supreme Court until Thursday in the expectation that an agreement could be found. Three of the largest companies, who have already withdrawn from the legal challenge, are believed to have persuaded the other firms to follow their lead. Stephanus Cilliers, a lawyer for the drugs companies had asked for the four-hour recess on Wednesday "in the hope that certain discussions that are going on will obviate the need for further proceedings." An official with one of the drugs companies said on Wednesday, on condition of anonymity, that the suit "had largely been resolved." All that remains to be sorted out was technical matters, including who will pay the court costs, the drugs official added. Health Minister Manto Tshabalala Msimang declined to comment on the negotiations as she left the courtroom on Wednesday. But an official in South African President Thabo Mbeki`s office said a settlement was imminent. "Yes, it`s happening," he said. A press conference, called for by the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers` Association which represents the 39 firms, is to be held at 10 a.m. (0800 GMT) on Thursday, two hours after the court is due to resume. If the agreement goes ahead it will help South Africa pay for drugs in the battle against illnesses such as AIDS, cholera, tuberculosis, and malaria -- currently, prohibitively expensive. An estimated 4.7 million South Africans are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The disputed law, the Medicines and Related Substances Control Amendment Act, would give South Africa the power to import or produce generic versions of patented drugs. Public relations disaster If the case is dropped it would be the end of a public relations disaster for the drugs companies, which include GlaxoSmithKline, the world`s largest supplier of HIV/AIDS medicines. Others are U.S. firms Merck & Co and Bristol-Myers Squibb, Swiss group Roche and unlisted German group Boehringer Ingelheim. Initially, their argument that the law was "too broad" and that it unfairly targeted drug manufacturers had been supported by the U.S. government and the European Union. But the companies were later left isolated as a result of opposition from the South African government, AIDS activists and human rights groups who said they were trying to wring profits out of a public health nightmare that threatens to devastate the continent. An official from the World Health Organisation, Wilbert Pannenberg, called access to affordable drugs a "humans rights issue." Ellen `t Hoen, an official with Medicins Sans Frontieres, said: "The pressure was just too much for them not to respond to." The Associated Press & Reuters contributed to this report. |
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| aus der Diskussion: | Einschätzung GOLDPREISENTWICKLUNG |
| Autor (Datum des Eintrages): | Tweetys Lover (19.04.01 11:11:35) |
| Beitrag: | 5 von 28 (ID:3337319) |
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