On this day in history: Pharmaceutical companies drop a lawsuit against SA
On 19 April 2001, pharmaceutical companies dropped a lawsuit against South Africa ending an international battle over patent rights and profit.
In 1998, Â Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America together with 39 international pharmaceutical companies brought a lawsuit against the South African government.
The lawsuit was for patent infringement regarding the manufacture of generic versions of life saving anti-AIDS drugs.
South Africa has one of the world’s highest rates of HIV and AIDS and these companies demanded millions of dollars for the right to manufacture their drugs.
On 19 April 2001, these charges against South Africa and other third world countries were dropped, which enabled them to produce generic versions of their patented drugs.
Many of the pharmaceutical companies did not stop there, some donated their drugs and others sold their drugs at cost price, following the lawsuit.
Source: SA History
