We learned through media leaks that a few days ago, the WTO secretariat, European Union (EU), and United
States (US) proposed a considerably weaker text as a solution to global health inequity during a pandemic. A
The impact of illicit trade to industrial development and processes.How it has impacted developing countries as well as the types of illicit trade occurring .Advantages and disadvantages of illicit trade to the economy
יום חופש העיתונות שצויין אתמול ברחבי העולם, מוצא את חופש העיתונות בשפל של יותר מעשור, כשברחבי העולם מתגבר איום הטרור, לצד משברים פוליטיים והומניטריים ברחבי הגלובוס. ישראל מוגדרת כמדינה היחידה שבה יש חופש עיתונות במזרח התיכון לפי ארגון Freedom House אך היא דורגה במקום ה-61 בעולם במדד חופש העיתונות של הארגון.
Is Mozambique’s 20 years of peace at risk ?AFRIKASOURCES
Political violence raises amid growing expectations for a future Gas Boom in Mozambique.
"A worst case scenario is a Nigerian-like rebellion (spilling out piracy in the Gulf of Guinea) with Mozambicans Groups attacking offshore platforms and disrupting maritime traffic in the region. But Governments of Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa have already signed a tripartite pact to strengthen maritime security in Indian Ocean and fight piracy..."
Read Afrikasources experts analysis.
The impact of illicit trade to industrial development and processes.How it has impacted developing countries as well as the types of illicit trade occurring .Advantages and disadvantages of illicit trade to the economy
יום חופש העיתונות שצויין אתמול ברחבי העולם, מוצא את חופש העיתונות בשפל של יותר מעשור, כשברחבי העולם מתגבר איום הטרור, לצד משברים פוליטיים והומניטריים ברחבי הגלובוס. ישראל מוגדרת כמדינה היחידה שבה יש חופש עיתונות במזרח התיכון לפי ארגון Freedom House אך היא דורגה במקום ה-61 בעולם במדד חופש העיתונות של הארגון.
Is Mozambique’s 20 years of peace at risk ?AFRIKASOURCES
Political violence raises amid growing expectations for a future Gas Boom in Mozambique.
"A worst case scenario is a Nigerian-like rebellion (spilling out piracy in the Gulf of Guinea) with Mozambicans Groups attacking offshore platforms and disrupting maritime traffic in the region. But Governments of Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa have already signed a tripartite pact to strengthen maritime security in Indian Ocean and fight piracy..."
Read Afrikasources experts analysis.
Open global trade has had positive effects for African industrialization and development. This report looks at efforts to help African countries strengthen their trading capacity and take fuller advantage of the benefits that trade brings.
The report looks into the effects of COVID-19 on Africa, the latest trends in African trade and how the WTO is providing support through the WTO-led Aid for Trade initiative and in areas such as trade facilitation, compliance with regulatory standards for trade, and technical assistance. The report also looks into projects aimed at mainstreaming trade into the national development strategies of African countries.
Keeping markets open and fostering a favourable business environment will be critical to spur renewed investment in Africa and support the continent’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
Міжнародна правозахисна організація Freedom House у Вашингтоні повідомила, що рівень свободи ЗМІ у світі за 2015 рік впав до найнижчого рівня за останні 12 років.
Statement by the alliance secretariat anc cosatu sacpSABC News
The Alliance Secretariat expressed solidarity with the workers and vehement opposition to any weakening of the SABC and its public broadcasting mandate and its subordination to commercial interests.
2019 Election| Management of Cannabis| Canada| August 2019paul young cpa, cga
Passing a bill and having full efficient supply chain for cannabis are two different issues
Feds push the cannabis law before law enforcement and the provinces were ready to handle the legalization of pot
Annual retail sales market for marijuana is running about $1B. The GST from the sales is estimated to be about $70M / year https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/190621/dq190621a-eng.htm
Healthcare only recently finalized process and sale of edibles - https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2019/06/health-canada-finalizes-regulations-for-the-production-and-sale-of-edible-cannabis-cannabis-extracts-and-cannabis-topicals.html
Liberals rushed out the legalization of pot as way to get a win when they are failing as a govt - https://www.slideshare.net/paulyoungcga/justin-trudeau-and-liberals-success-or-failure
Government has done little to hire and fund inspection of marijuana .
we are here to help you in the duration of your preparation
feel free to contact us for any query regarding your exam
contact us at : 9454721860, 0522-4241011
or log on to our website : www.iasnext.com
James M. Cooper and Bashar H. Malkawi, The need to relax intellectual propert...Bashar H. Malkawi
Intellectual property (IP) — patent, copyright, trademark and industrial design — is the foundation for a thriving consumer society and a significant driver for economic growth. Most importantly for right now, it is the engine to help the globe out of the coronavirus pandemic.
Open global trade has had positive effects for African industrialization and development. This report looks at efforts to help African countries strengthen their trading capacity and take fuller advantage of the benefits that trade brings.
The report looks into the effects of COVID-19 on Africa, the latest trends in African trade and how the WTO is providing support through the WTO-led Aid for Trade initiative and in areas such as trade facilitation, compliance with regulatory standards for trade, and technical assistance. The report also looks into projects aimed at mainstreaming trade into the national development strategies of African countries.
Keeping markets open and fostering a favourable business environment will be critical to spur renewed investment in Africa and support the continent’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
Міжнародна правозахисна організація Freedom House у Вашингтоні повідомила, що рівень свободи ЗМІ у світі за 2015 рік впав до найнижчого рівня за останні 12 років.
Statement by the alliance secretariat anc cosatu sacpSABC News
The Alliance Secretariat expressed solidarity with the workers and vehement opposition to any weakening of the SABC and its public broadcasting mandate and its subordination to commercial interests.
2019 Election| Management of Cannabis| Canada| August 2019paul young cpa, cga
Passing a bill and having full efficient supply chain for cannabis are two different issues
Feds push the cannabis law before law enforcement and the provinces were ready to handle the legalization of pot
Annual retail sales market for marijuana is running about $1B. The GST from the sales is estimated to be about $70M / year https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/190621/dq190621a-eng.htm
Healthcare only recently finalized process and sale of edibles - https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2019/06/health-canada-finalizes-regulations-for-the-production-and-sale-of-edible-cannabis-cannabis-extracts-and-cannabis-topicals.html
Liberals rushed out the legalization of pot as way to get a win when they are failing as a govt - https://www.slideshare.net/paulyoungcga/justin-trudeau-and-liberals-success-or-failure
Government has done little to hire and fund inspection of marijuana .
we are here to help you in the duration of your preparation
feel free to contact us for any query regarding your exam
contact us at : 9454721860, 0522-4241011
or log on to our website : www.iasnext.com
James M. Cooper and Bashar H. Malkawi, The need to relax intellectual propert...Bashar H. Malkawi
Intellectual property (IP) — patent, copyright, trademark and industrial design — is the foundation for a thriving consumer society and a significant driver for economic growth. Most importantly for right now, it is the engine to help the globe out of the coronavirus pandemic.
Please read below case and individually take the role of “NGOsAdvoc.pdfpallavi953613
Please read below case and individually take the role of “NGOs/Advocacy Groups” as one of the
important stakeholder.
Discuss the case, from your chosen stakeholder as “NGOs/Advocacy Groups” and perspective
analyzing the reasons for the current situation and the changes you would propose for the future,
supported with additionally researched relevant information.
Please mention your list of references and at least 400 words.
In-Depth Integrative Case 1.2
Pharmaceutical Companies, Intellectual Property,
and the Global AIDS Epidemic
In August 2003, after heavy lobbying from nongovernmental
organizations (NGOs) such as Doctors Without
Borders, the U.S. pharmaceutical industry finally dropped
its opposition to relaxation of the intellectual property
rights (IPR) provisions under World Trade Organization
(WTO) regulations to make generic, low-cost antiviral
drugs available to developing countries like South Africa
facing epidemics or other health emergencies. 1 Although
this announcement appeared to end a three-year dispute
between multinational pharmaceutical companies, governments,
and NGOs over the most appropriate and effective
response to viral pandemics in the developing world, the
specific procedures for determining what constitutes a
health emergency had yet to be worked out. Nonetheless,
the day after the agreement was announced, the government
of Brazil said it would publish a decree authorizing
imports of generic versions of patented AIDS drugs that
the country said it could no longer afford to buy from
multinational pharmaceutical companies. Although the
tentative WTO agreement would appear to allow such
production under limited circumstances, former U.S. trade
official Jon Huenemann remarked, “They’re playing with
fire. . . . The sensitivities of this are obvious and we’re
right on the edge here.”
Despite the role of developed and developing country
governments, NGOs, large pharmaceutical companies,
and their generic competitors in crafting this agreement,
it was unclear how it would be implemented and whether
action would be swift enough to stem the HIV/AIDS epidemic
ravaging South Africa and many other countries.
The AIDS Epidemic and Potential
Treatment
In 2008, after over two decades of fighting the AIDS epidemic
and raising the public awareness, HIV/AIDS still
remained one of the leading causes of death in the world,
occupying the 6th position in WHO Top 10 Causes of
Death list. 3 According to the World Health Organization
(WHO), in 2008 there were approximately 33.4 million
people living with AIDS, with 2.7 million newly infected,
and 2 millions deaths (see Table 1). Since 1980, AIDS has
killed more than 25 million people. HIV is especially
deadly because it often remains dormant in an infected person
for years without showing symptoms and is transmitted
to others often without the knowledge of either person. HIV
leads to AIDS when the virus attacks the immune system
and cripples it, making the person vulnerable to diseases. 4
Th.
The APCO Geopolitical Risk Radar (AGRR), is an overview of geopolitical risks posed to global corporations in critical operating regions.
AGRR reflects our understanding of the regional risks facing businesses and how these risks come together at a global level. It is intended as a baseline from which to develop strategies that navigate and mitigate these risks.
This report looks at emerging trends for Q2 2023 and was published in March 2023.
The regional insights represent the best thinking of APCO corporate advisory practitioners. With nearly 1,000 people across more than 30 global locations, our analysis draws on decades of experience and insights serving corporations that operate globally.
The final part of AGRR features our Geopolitical Conversation Risk Index, which illustrates the attention global media gives each risk and the degree to which Fortune 500 companies are already acting or are likely to take action.
Similar to AN OPEN CALL TO MINISTER PATEL AND THE GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA (20)
Ministry of Justice Extradition Eswatini 3.pdfSABC News
The Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services has confirmed that an extradition application for the two men linked to the murder of Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane has been approved and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions in eSwatini.
January’s Producer Price Index increases to 4.7%SABC News
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has released the Producer Price Index (PPI) for January, which rose to 4.7% year-on-year, compared with 4% in December.
MEC MAJUBA SADDENED BY THE PASSING AWAY OF THREE TEACHERS FOLLOWING A CAR ACC...SABC News
The Mpumalanga Department of Education has learnt with shock and sadness about an accident which claimed the lives of three teachers along the N4 road towards Mbombela.
Minister Gordhan Announces New Transnet Board Appointments_11 July 2023.pdfSABC News
The nine Trasnet Non-Executive Directors and the reappointment of two will serve a three-year term. Andile Sangqu has been appointed as the new Chairperson.
REMNANTS OF FREDDY BRINGS HEAVY RAINS IN SOME PARTS OF SOUTH AFRICA WHICH MIG...SABC News
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has called on communities to heed the warning from the South African Weather Service (SAWS) and the disaster management teams across the country.
Letter to the Speaker re extension 14 November 2022.pdfSABC News
Parliament's spokesperson Moloto Mothapo says retried Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, who is chairing the panel, has written to Mapisa-Nqakula asking for an extension.
Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola’s Keynote Address...SABC News
Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola’s Keynote Address at the Rand Merchant Bank Investment Big Five Investment Conference, 13 September 2022
Medical Technology Tackles New Health Care Demand - Research Report - March 2...pchutichetpong
M Capital Group (“MCG”) predicts that with, against, despite, and even without the global pandemic, the medical technology (MedTech) industry shows signs of continuous healthy growth, driven by smaller, faster, and cheaper devices, growing demand for home-based applications, technological innovation, strategic acquisitions, investments, and SPAC listings. MCG predicts that this should reflects itself in annual growth of over 6%, well beyond 2028.
According to Chris Mouchabhani, Managing Partner at M Capital Group, “Despite all economic scenarios that one may consider, beyond overall economic shocks, medical technology should remain one of the most promising and robust sectors over the short to medium term and well beyond 2028.”
There is a movement towards home-based care for the elderly, next generation scanning and MRI devices, wearable technology, artificial intelligence incorporation, and online connectivity. Experts also see a focus on predictive, preventive, personalized, participatory, and precision medicine, with rising levels of integration of home care and technological innovation.
The average cost of treatment has been rising across the board, creating additional financial burdens to governments, healthcare providers and insurance companies. According to MCG, cost-per-inpatient-stay in the United States alone rose on average annually by over 13% between 2014 to 2021, leading MedTech to focus research efforts on optimized medical equipment at lower price points, whilst emphasizing portability and ease of use. Namely, 46% of the 1,008 medical technology companies in the 2021 MedTech Innovator (“MTI”) database are focusing on prevention, wellness, detection, or diagnosis, signaling a clear push for preventive care to also tackle costs.
In addition, there has also been a lasting impact on consumer and medical demand for home care, supported by the pandemic. Lockdowns, closure of care facilities, and healthcare systems subjected to capacity pressure, accelerated demand away from traditional inpatient care. Now, outpatient care solutions are driving industry production, with nearly 70% of recent diagnostics start-up companies producing products in areas such as ambulatory clinics, at-home care, and self-administered diagnostics.
Explore our infographic on 'Essential Metrics for Palliative Care Management' which highlights key performance indicators crucial for enhancing the quality and efficiency of palliative care services.
This visual guide breaks down important metrics across four categories: Patient-Centered Metrics, Care Efficiency Metrics, Quality of Life Metrics, and Staff Metrics. Each section is designed to help healthcare professionals monitor and improve care delivery for patients facing serious illnesses. Understand how to implement these metrics in your palliative care practices for better outcomes and higher satisfaction levels.
India Clinical Trials Market: Industry Size and Growth Trends [2030] Analyzed...Kumar Satyam
According to TechSci Research report, "India Clinical Trials Market- By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2030F," the India Clinical Trials Market was valued at USD 2.05 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.64% through 2030. The market is driven by a variety of factors, making India an attractive destination for pharmaceutical companies and researchers. India's vast and diverse patient population, cost-effective operational environment, and a large pool of skilled medical professionals contribute significantly to the market's growth. Additionally, increasing government support in streamlining regulations and the growing prevalence of lifestyle diseases further propel the clinical trials market.
Growing Prevalence of Lifestyle Diseases
The rising incidence of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer is a major trend driving the clinical trials market in India. These conditions necessitate the development and testing of new treatment methods, creating a robust demand for clinical trials. The increasing burden of these diseases highlights the need for innovative therapies and underscores the importance of India as a key player in global clinical research.
Deep Leg Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Meaning, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Mor...The Lifesciences Magazine
Deep Leg Vein Thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in the legs. These clots can impede blood flow, leading to severe complications.
ICH Guidelines for Pharmacovigilance.pdfNEHA GUPTA
The "ICH Guidelines for Pharmacovigilance" PDF provides a comprehensive overview of the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) guidelines related to pharmacovigilance. These guidelines aim to ensure that drugs are safe and effective for patients by monitoring and assessing adverse effects, ensuring proper reporting systems, and improving risk management practices. The document is essential for professionals in the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory authorities, and healthcare providers, offering detailed procedures and standards for pharmacovigilance activities to enhance drug safety and protect public health.
Global launch of the Healthy Ageing and Prevention Index 2nd wave – alongside...ILC- UK
The Healthy Ageing and Prevention Index is an online tool created by ILC that ranks countries on six metrics including, life span, health span, work span, income, environmental performance, and happiness. The Index helps us understand how well countries have adapted to longevity and inform decision makers on what must be done to maximise the economic benefits that comes with living well for longer.
Alongside the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva on 28 May 2024, we launched the second version of our Index, allowing us to track progress and give new insights into what needs to be done to keep populations healthier for longer.
The speakers included:
Professor Orazio Schillaci, Minister of Health, Italy
Dr Hans Groth, Chairman of the Board, World Demographic & Ageing Forum
Professor Ilona Kickbusch, Founder and Chair, Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute and co-chair, World Health Summit Council
Dr Natasha Azzopardi Muscat, Director, Country Health Policies and Systems Division, World Health Organisation EURO
Dr Marta Lomazzi, Executive Manager, World Federation of Public Health Associations
Dr Shyam Bishen, Head, Centre for Health and Healthcare and Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum
Dr Karin Tegmark Wisell, Director General, Public Health Agency of Sweden
CHAPTER 1 SEMESTER V PREVENTIVE-PEDIATRICS.pdfSachin Sharma
This content provides an overview of preventive pediatrics. It defines preventive pediatrics as preventing disease and promoting children's physical, mental, and social well-being to achieve positive health. It discusses antenatal, postnatal, and social preventive pediatrics. It also covers various child health programs like immunization, breastfeeding, ICDS, and the roles of organizations like WHO, UNICEF, and nurses in preventive pediatrics.
The Importance of Community Nursing Care.pdfAD Healthcare
NDIS and Community 24/7 Nursing Care is a specific type of support that may be provided under the NDIS for individuals with complex medical needs who require ongoing nursing care in a community setting, such as their home or a supported accommodation facility.
R3 Stem Cells and Kidney Repair A New Horizon in Nephrology.pptxR3 Stem Cell
R3 Stem Cells and Kidney Repair: A New Horizon in Nephrology" explores groundbreaking advancements in the use of R3 stem cells for kidney disease treatment. This insightful piece delves into the potential of these cells to regenerate damaged kidney tissue, offering new hope for patients and reshaping the future of nephrology.
How many patients does case series should have In comparison to case reports.pdfpubrica101
Pubrica’s team of researchers and writers create scientific and medical research articles, which may be important resources for authors and practitioners. Pubrica medical writers assist you in creating and revising the introduction by alerting the reader to gaps in the chosen study subject. Our professionals understand the order in which the hypothesis topic is followed by the broad subject, the issue, and the backdrop.
https://pubrica.com/academy/case-study-or-series/how-many-patients-does-case-series-should-have-in-comparison-to-case-reports/
Leading the Way in Nephrology: Dr. David Greene's Work with Stem Cells for Ki...Dr. David Greene Arizona
As we watch Dr. Greene's continued efforts and research in Arizona, it's clear that stem cell therapy holds a promising key to unlocking new doors in the treatment of kidney disease. With each study and trial, we step closer to a world where kidney disease is no longer a life sentence but a treatable condition, thanks to pioneers like Dr. David Greene.
Empowering ACOs: Leveraging Quality Management Tools for MIPS and BeyondHealth Catalyst
Join us as we delve into the crucial realm of quality reporting for MSSP (Medicare Shared Savings Program) Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs).
In this session, we will explore how a robust quality management solution can empower your organization to meet regulatory requirements and improve processes for MIPS reporting and internal quality programs. Learn how our MeasureAble application enables compliance and fosters continuous improvement.
Empowering ACOs: Leveraging Quality Management Tools for MIPS and Beyond
AN OPEN CALL TO MINISTER PATEL AND THE GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA
1. 1
30 March 2022
AN OPEN CALL TO MINISTER PATEL AND THE GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA
--FROM ORGANISATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA ON THE ‘LEAKED’ WTO-EU-US TEXT (TRIPS WAIVER)
NO DEAL IS BETTER THAN A BAD DEAL
• MINISTER PATEL –DO NOT ACCEPT THE “CRUMBS” THAT THE PRESIDENT PRESCIENTLY WARNED
AGAINST
• MINISTER PATEL - DO NOT CAPITULATE TO US/EU BULLYING ON THE TRIPS COVID-19 WAIVER
NEGOTIATIONS
We are civil society groups and individuals in South Africa.
We learned through media leaks that a few days ago, the WTO secretariat, European Union (EU), and United
States (US) proposed a considerably weaker text as a solution to global health inequity during a pandemic. As
currently articulated, the draft text does not provide a meaningful solution to barriers presented by intellectual
property (IP) that impede access, sharing of data, and technology on COVID-19 medical products. This comes
some 17 months after the governments of South Africa and India boldly proposed a temporary TRIPS WAIVER
on IP rules for COVID-19 technologies to save lives in the global south.
We ask our government not to be bullied by the EU and US and not agree to the proposals contained in the
leaked text because:
1. It will create a negative precedent for the global south.
2. It does not address the substantive proposal of the TRIPS WAIVER, first placed on the table by South Africa and
India in October 2020.1
Academics, researchers, civic groups, economists have all written to the President of South Africa in the past
days, emphasising that the leaked text is a step in the wrong direction. If accepted by Minister Patel, it will
amount to a concession to powerful vested interests.2
Why does it matter?
1. The South African government and the negotiating team have played a critical and leading role in bringing
together over 100 member countries of the WTO to support such a waiver, and engaged the opposition
from rich countries with reasoned arguments.
2. President Ramaphosa, at the time also Chairperson of the African Union (AU), demonstrated strong
leadership as a champion of the waiver.
3. As recently as 18 February 2022, President Ramaphosa stated at the AU – EU Summit that Africa would still
be getting the “crumbs from the table” of the West, without the waiver.
That’s exactly what the leaked text is – “crumbs” – and it is unacceptable in March 2022, as it was in February
2022 and throughout 2021. Therefore, we urge Minister Ebrahim Patel to listen to the President’s warnings and
reject this flawed deal.
The context of inequity: The unofficial death toll from Covid-19 stands at 20 million deaths, with countless
socio-economic losses and harms caused by not vaccinating the global south quickly enough. All this while, the
1 In October 2020, South Africa and India made a proposal at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to waive certain of its rules to enable
many more manufacturers to produce related medical technologies including vaccines, testing kits and treatment / medicines to end the
COVID-19 pandemic. This is because the pharmaceutical companies that manufacture vaccines ordinarily refuse to share knowledge, recipes
and other information to enable more manufacturers to increase the production of key life-saving technologies.
2 Southern Africa-affiliated academics and researchers have addressed a letter to President Ramaphosa and Nobel laureate economist
Joseph Stiglitz and economist Jayati Ghosh have similarly co-authored a letter.
2. 2
EU and US, especially, have shamefully dragged these discussions out for almost a year and a half, and
obstructed finding consensus on the waiver in order to protect their billion-dollar pharmaceutical industries.
This is the primary reason that resource-poor countries in Africa and elsewhere have managed to vaccinate only
a fraction of their populations (under 15% in Africa) –because of limited supplies and refusal to share knowledge
by the major pharmaceutical companies.
The original October 2020 TRIPS Waiver proposal led by South Africa and India offered hope to countries with
constrained resources and access. It would have enabled expanded manufacture in the global south and
delivered timely supplies of affordable vaccines, testing kits, and treatments/medicines. But that hope is in
danger of being quashed. The leaked text shows that despite the talk of “solidarity” and “global health equity”
during the early days of this pandemic, the US, EU, and other rich countries are making virtually no concessions
but demanding onerous and extensive conditions and restrictions on what technologies are covered. They limit
the countries and geographies that can benefit, effectively eliminating certain low- and middle-income
countries from the proposed scheme. This will unfairly discriminate against countries such as Brazil, China and
others and reduce supplies for global distribution.
The ‘leaked text’:
1. The leaked text contains proposals that are very narrow, and it focuses only on vaccine patents (not all IP
restrictions):
o This particular strategy is that of the US and EU, advocating for such a narrowing all along.
It leaves in place other IP obstacles such as ‘confidential information’ or ‘trade secrets’, so
that the ability to access data on manufacturing and technical process to manufacture
life-saving vaccines in the global south is considerably delayed.
This could hamstring the vaccine technology transfer hubs being set up with the support
of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and several developing countries and expose
them to legal risks including IP related infringement litigation, delaying access further.
2. The leaked text covers vaccines only, not diagnostics and treatments:
o This limitation, insisted upon by the United States, makes no public health sense in the current
pandemic response.
People contracting COVID-19 in rich countries are already being treated with therapeutics
for severe disease and new antiviral medicines for mild and moderate illness, while South
Africa and other countries are at the mercy of Big Pharma for voluntary licenses to
remove IP barriers.
In South Africa, we experienced shortages of PCR test cartridges at the height of the first
wave because supplies were prioritised for the US market - local laboratories were
prevented from making the reagents by IP barriers.
The leaked text says that these technologies will be ‘considered’ for possible inclusion –
BUT only after ‘6 months’. The WTO has dragged its feet for 17 months, so we have little
confidence that negotiations on treatment and testing will be finalised within an
expedited period. Current vaccine apartheid will be followed by a divide so huge that
humanitarian groups have warned about “treatment apartheid” too.
3. The leaked text includes onerous TRIPS + conditions for compulsory licensing
o These conditions are NOT even required by the TRIPS Agreement, thus creating a dangerous
precedent for this pandemic and others to follow.
The requirement to provide a ‘list of all patents on the product over which a compulsory
license would operate.’ Listing all “necessary” patents is tricky and time-consuming as
multinational corporations may continue filing new patent claims related to the same
technologies or products. Often the full patent landscape is not visible.
3. 3
In the name of ‘transparency’, details about the authorised entities, duration of the
authorisation, quantities, and destinations of exportation covered in the requirements
will place unnecessary procedural burdens for countries seeking to use this remedy’.
4. The process being followed is worrying:
o The desire to steamroll WTO members – particularly in the global south - into accepting a bad deal
poses grave danger to their solidarity, by sowing confusion and divisions. This will make it
extremely difficult to oppose the agendas of high-income countries backing their powerful
pharmaceutical and other industries during the WTO ‘Ministerial Conference 12’ scheduled for
later this year.
o South Africa and other countries in the Global South should not be pressured to hastily accept the
proposed settlement as contained in the leaked text. The WTO Director-General herself stated on
16 March 2022: “not all the details of the compromise have been ironed out,” – so why the
indecent haste to wrap up these negotiations around a flawed and limiting text without an open
debate among all WTO members and civil society groups, academics and researchers?
5. A negative precedent for the future:
o The negative precedent set by a bad “compromise” text could thwart future efforts to reach more
meaningful IP reforms needed to address future pandemic risks and the persistent market failures
of monopoly control over what key health technologies should ultimately be: global public goods.
The leaked text represents the interests of the rich countries and their billion-dollar pharmaceutical industries
and must be rejected.
• The original TRIPS WAIVER proposal is what we have advocated for, over the past 17 months – it
has the support of 67 co-sponsors and 100 countries.
• The South African government has provided global leadership on this matter until now, earning
the respect of millions of people around the world who lack the power to stand up to the bullying
of wealthy governments and pharmaceutical companies. Please, do not lose that integrity by
capitulating: We must refuse the ‘crumbs’ being offered by the EU and US. Every second counts, as
case numbers rise, and the death toll mounts.
Therefore, as civil society groups in South Africa we call on Minister Patel and our government to:
• NOT endorse this very bad deal – we should not be bullied by the interests of the EU and US.
• Insist that the negotiations on the text do not sideline other global south countries, as the precedent
that sets, is to favour rich nations.
We cannot wait any longer for life saving vaccines, testing and treatment -
Minister Patel: Do the right thing, Do not let us down: No deal is better than a bad deal!
4. 1
30 March 2022
AN OPEN CALL TO MINISTER PATEL AND THE GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA
- FROM ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS IN SOUTH AFRICA ON THE ‘LEAKED’ WTO-EU-US TEXT
(TRIPS WAIVER)
SIGNATURE LIST
Organisations
1. HealthJusticeInitiative
2. ActiveCitizensMovementKZN
3. AfricanAlliance
4. People’sHealthMovement– SA
5. Section 27
6. Treatment Action Campaign TAC
7. AIDC
8. Amandla Kabuntu
9. AmnestyInternationalSA(Durbangroup)
10. AngelsofHope
11. AsijikiCoalition
12. BreastHealthFoundation
13. CancerAlliance
14. CentreforAppliedLegalStudies CALS
15. FrontlineAIDSSouthAfrica
16. GNP +-SouthAfrica
17. InstituteforEconomicJusticeIEJ
18. Just Associates JASS
19. KgethoentleProductions
20. KhulumaniSupportGroup
21. LawyersforHumanRightsLHR
22. LegalResourcesCentreLRC
23. Women’sLegalCentre
24. OpenSecrets
25. PhoenixSettlementTrust
26. PublicServiceAccountabilityMonitorPSAM
27. SouthernAfricanAlcoholPolicyAllianceSouthAfrica SAAPA
28. TEASA
29. TriangleProject
30. Trustfor Community OutreachandEducationTCOE
31. WesternCapeForumforIntellectualDisability
32. Womaniko
33. ZeroWasteAssociationofSouthAfrica
5. 2
Individuals
1. Fatima Hassan / HJI
2. Prof Yousuf Vawda
3. Tian Johnson / African Alliance
4. Ela Gandhi
5. Phumi Mtetwa / JASS
6. Dr Dale McKinley
7. Trish Hanekom
8. Janet Love
9. Dr Shuaib Manjra
10. Prof Brook K. Baker / UKZN Health Global Access Project
11. Prof Franziska Sucker / University of Witwatersrand
12. Salome Meyer / Cancer Alliance
13. Prof Kelly Gillespie
14. Prof Francois Venter / University of the Witwatersrand
15. Dr Tracey Naledi / Public health Specialist
16. Rev. Alan Storey
17. Rasigan Maharajh
18. Jens Pedersen
19. Eunice David
20. Marlise Richter / HJI
21. Peggy Pillay
22. Linda Greeff / Cancer Alliance
23. Erlene Anderson
24. Ismael Bhoja
25. Ashwin Singh
26. Sershan Naidoo
27. Prof Ames Dhai
28. Paddy Padayachy / ACM
29. Dr Tasneem Vally
30. Mahomed Faruk Mahomed / SAMA
31. Devan Pillay
32. Dr A K Jeewa
33. Shabir Ballim
34. N M PATEL
35. Sungaree Pather
36. Vanessa September
37. Rags Govender
38. Lubna Nadvi
39. Hannetjie Venter
40. P Thomson
41. Dr Mark Human/ SAMA
42. Ayub Mayet
43. C Taylor
44. Lallie Moodley
45. Firdoze Bulbulia
46. Kreesen Naicker
47. Mark Howard
48. Ronell Lambert
49. Leanne Jennifer de Jager
6. 3
50. Riaz Lachman
51. Sharmaine Steyn
52. Frances ‘HC’
53. Yanga Nokhepheyi
54. Heather Collins
55. Dr AF van Wyk
56. Bafana Khumalo
57. Yasmin Adam
58. Trevor Mantshoane
59. Njabulo S
60. Robert Venter
61. Laurie Gaum
62. Teresa Swart
63. S Sankar
64. J Kruuse
65. Dr Arabang Letebele
66. Lauren Paremoer / PHM – SA
67. Elroy Paulus
68. Hersheela Narsee
69. Devina. Perumal
70. Shree Sanathan Dharam Suthsungh Sabha
71. Roshan koobla
72. Melanie Alperstein
73. ‘MELANI’
74. GB Narsee
75. Peter Cooper
76. Denise Cooper
77. Gugulethu LAAGBV
78. Michael Marchant
79. Kerry Reiche
80. Tshepo Mokhadi
81. Nikki Schaay
82. Gitanjali Pather
83. Linda Cooper
84. Prof Susan Goldstein
85. Mxolisi Mnyaka
86. Denise Nicholson
87. Wim Vandevelde / GNP+
88. Carmen Oltmann
89. Emily Gairbairn
90. Vidhu Vedalankar
91. Irna Senekal
92. Andile Nyemnezi
93. Dimitri Selibas
94. Gabriel Hoosain Khan
95. Farida Patel
96. Angela James
97. Santie Wolvaardt
98. Teresa Swart
7. 4
99. Garth Alperstein
100. Mark Weinberg
101. Dr C Koobair
102. Dr Kalavati Patel
103. Tabitha Paine
104. Rehad Desai
105. Bridget Mcilroy
106. Crystal de Jager
107. Aslam Fataar
108. Dr Nimi Hoffmann
109. ‘Carol’
110. Barbara Steinhausen
111. Jacobus Hosea Gouws
112. Dolly Jacobs
113. Joff van Tonder
114. Koketso Moeti / amandla.mobi
115. Terna Gyuse
116. Bulelwa Faltein / SACWF
117. Ian Couper / Ukwanda Centre for Rural Health
118. Shaamela Cassiem
119. Sandhiya Singh
120. Cheryl-Lyn Selman / IEJ
121. Religions for Peace South Africa
122. Baone Twala
123. Ivor Phillips
124. Gilad Isaacs / IEJ
125. Sharon Ekambaram
126. Annelise van der N
127. Randy Sibran
128. Francois Kruger
129. Lindie Nel
130. Johan Wiegand
131. Carol Cragg / PHM
132. Hendrik Pelzer
133. Moira Levy / Institute for African Alternatives
134. Hilary Albutt