AIDS TREATMENT NEWS Issue #353, October 20, 2000
John S. James
For months patent holder Pfizer has been negotiating with the South African government to provide fluconazole free to the government for treating cryptococcal meningitis--but apparently not for major candidiasis (thrush) infections, which killed Christopher Moraka, and apparently with no price reduction for patients who cannot get the drug through the government program but have to purchase it privately. Pfizer made the donation announcement after TAC had raised the issue by asking the company to either reduce its price to twice the generic price, or license someone else to do so. The company's press release reaped great international publicity, but in the months since, not one capsule has reached a single patient.
TAC has applied to the South African government for a humanitarian exemption to import the generic--an exemption recognized under the country's law. Instead, the government charged organizer Zackie Achmat with a criminal offense. He turned himself in to the police, providing documentation on the Thai product (called Biozole) and a sample of the drug, and was not arrested at that time.
The Defiance Campaign is supported by many doctors and nurses, by Jubilee 2000, by trade unions, by the AIDS Consortium and AIDS Law Project, and by children's rights organizations throughout the country.
TAC has asked for international awareness and support. More information will be available at http://www.tac.org.za/ or at http://www.healthgap.org/
In North America, financial contributions can be made through the South Africa Development Fund, 555 Amory St., Boston MA 02130, 617-522-5511, freesa@igc.org; make checks payable to the South Africa Development Fund, and indicate the funds are for the TAC Christopher Moraka Defiance Campaign. According to TAC's October 17 press release, "100% of the donation will go to purchasing and distributing medication via qualified health professionals only, free of charge to patients."
Comment
It's time to call an end to the current system where tens of thousands of people must die routinely to protect the profits of giant corporations with the political influence money can buy. We do need patent protection to provide incentive for drug development, but the rules must be changed so that they do not have horrible consequences. That's what the Christopher Moraka Defiance Campaign Against Patent Abuse is about.
***** Congress Considering Medicaid Coverage for Persons with HIV: Call Your Representatives
"Congress is considering including the "Early Treatment for HIV Act" in legislation before it adjourns for the year. Your help is needed immediately!!
"The Early Treatment for HIV Act (H.R. 1591), introduced by Representatives Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Richard Gephardt (D-MO) would give states the option to extend Medicaid coverage to uninsured low-income people living with HIV. Under current rules, most people living with HIV are ineligible for Medicaid until they reach the Social Security definition of disability, which generally includes an AIDS diagnosis and disabling symptoms. If states wish to cover people living with HIV who haven't reached this definition under their Medicaid programs, they have to apply for a Medicaid waiver. That process is lengthy and burdensome..." (Quoted from action alert by Project Inform Treatment Action Network.)
Calls and letters are relevant until Congress either passes the bill, or adjourns for the year. For current information contact the Treatment Action Network, tan@projectinform.org
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