WEDNESDAY, 8.30AM:
DESPITE intense lobbying by international drug companies threatening to withdraw from South Africa, a controversial health Bill that allows the government to “parallel” import cheaper drugs from abroad was passed by Parliament on Tuesday.
Health committee chairman Dr Abe Nkomo said a number of European countries and Japan allow parallel importing, but “it is only our minister of health who is lambasted by the giant pharmaceutical companies. If she was wrong, why are they silent on the other countries?”
Trade and Industry Minister Alec Erwin stepped into the debate by revealing that he had held discussions with his US counterparts to resolve the issue. He said there is a difference in interpretation of a World Trade Organisation agreement on intellectual property, and while SA is attempting to introduce affordable health care, the US is seeking to protect its pharmaceuticals industry.
Erwin said the Bill does not infringe patent rights, since it simply allows for the cheaper imports of the same drug, from the same company, available more cheaply elsewhere. He accepted that the policy could be discriminatory, but “the excessive pricing of patented medicines is a primary concern”.
The ANC used its majority to pass the bill by 201 votes to 71, despite the opposition of all other parties.
Passed on Monday was the equally controversial Medical, Dental and Supplementary Health Service Professions Amendment Bill, which provides for medical interns to serve one year of compulsory community service before they can become registered practitioners.