E-DRUG: Dutch Prime Minister urges cheaper Aids drugs
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[The Dutch Prime Minister, on official state visit, adressed
the South African Parliament, and spoke strongly in support
of South Africa's fight for more affordable medicines.
http://www.dispatch.co.za/2001/02/28/southafrica/DUTCH.HTM
Two weeks ago, the Dutch Minister of Development Aid, Mrs
Herfkens, publicly supported the South African position
in the court case that the drug industry will start monday
5 March in Pretoria against the government to try and block
Act 90(1997) which would allow the SA Minister of Health to
parallel import medicines, and to allow generic substitution.
Copied as fair use. NN]
Daily Dispatch 27/2/01
Dutch PM urges cheaper Aids drugs
CAPE TOWN -- Developing countries should be allowed to produce
or import affordable medication and drugs to fight HIV and Aids,
visiting Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok said yesterday.
Addressing MPs in the Old Assembly Chamber, he said the global
problem of HIV-Aids was too threatening to be left to market forces
alone.
"That is why we are actively pushing, within the European Union,
for Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights to be interpreted in a
way compatible with the acute needs of the poor," Kok said to loud
applause.
International drug companies have hit out at government moves to
allow parallel import of cheaper versions of drugs that are protected
by patent rights in South Africa.
The pharmaceutical companies argue such moves are in violation
of property rights laws.
Kok said the Netherlands was one of the world's largest
contributors to organisations combating the disease.
His country and South Africa would initiate additional joint
programmes aimed at fighting its spread in southern Africa.
President Thabo Mbeki, who met Kok earlier yesterday at
Tuynhuys for a private meeting, was in the audience for the
address with Deputy President Jacob Zuma, Cabinet ministers and
South Africa's new ambassador to The Hague, Priscilla Jana.
[snip]
Sapa
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