Action for Generic Anti-retroviral production

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum members,

One of the best way to enhance access to 'HIV medicines' in India is

to produce Generic Anti retroviral medicines in India. Many of the

Indian drug manufactoring companies have the technical capacity to do

so. However, ministry of commerce has to take a special effort

towards this direction. In this context the efforts taken by the

Treatment action group in South Africa may be of interest to the

AIDS NGOs and PLWHA groups in India. [Moderator].

TAC Call for Global Day of Action 5 March 2001 and Generic Anti-

retroviral production. MOBILISE GLOBALLY AND LOCALLY AGAINST DRUG

COMPANY POWER! PRODUCE GENERIC ANTI-RETROVIRALS!

2001 promises to be one of the most critical years for access to

HIV/AIDS treatments. In South Africa, the year will witness attempts

by multinational drug companies to take the South African government

to court for trying to make medicines affordable for all people. TAC

will continue its Moraka Defiance Campaign against Unjust

Trade Laws and Patent Abuse. TAC will demand that the government

increase its health-care and welfare budgets substantially to deal

effectively with HIV/AIDS.

On 15 & 16 January 2001, the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) held its

national executive meeting in Khayelitsha Cape Town. This meeting

adopted a programme of action for 2001. This release focusses only on

immediate actions.

MOBLISE LOCAL AND GLOBAL ACTION AGAINST DRUG COMPANIES

The drug companies - Glaxo Kline, Bristol-Meyer Squibb,

Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck, Abbott and many others will try to stop

the South African government's attempt to make medicines affordable

to all its people. The law passed by the country's first democratic

Parliament under the leadership of former President Mandela is now

under attack. TAC calls on all people to oppose the drug companies

and to support the legislation.

March and Interfaith Service 12 February 2001

a. On 12 February 2001, TAC will hold an inter-faith service in St.

's Cathedral in Cape Town and a march to Parliament. The TAC

March on Parliament will be held under the following slogans:

b. Oppose Drug Company Action Against the Government,

c. Treat HIV/AIDS and Produce Generic Anti-Retrovirals; and

d. Increase the Health and Welfare Budgets to R33 billion per

department.

A memorandum will be handed over to the Minister of Trade and

Industry,Minister of Finance, Minister of Health, Minister of Welfare

and the Speaker of the Parliament. TAC will also call on the

Democratic Alliance to condemn the actions by the drug companies and

to support the production of generic anti-retrovirals.

Global Action 5-12 March 2001

a. TAC calls on people in every country to mobilise against drug

company profiteering on Monday 5 March 2001. On this day, the action

by more than 40 multinational drug companies against the South African

government will be heard in the Pretoria High Court. Millions of

people will die from HIV/AIDS and other illnesses, if the drug

companies succeed in their action. TAC specifically calls on our

allies Medecins Sans Frontieres, HealthGap Coalition, ACTSA and all

the organisations who endorsed the Global March for HIV/AIDS

Treatment Access to mobilise. A victory for the drug companies in

this case will set back the struggle for access to essential

medicines in all countries. TAC will mobilise actions against drug

companies throughout the week 5-12 March 2001.

TREATMENT CONGRESS AND PROVINCIAL TAC CONFERENCES

TAC will hold three provincial conferences and a national Treatment

Congress. Provincial conferences will mobilise local actions and

prepare for the national congress. From 18-21 March 2001, TAC will

hold its national Treatment Congress in Johannesburg, Gauteng. The

Treatment Congress will adopt a Treatment Charter and build a

campaign to produce generic anti-retrovirals.

a. TAC Gauteng will hold its Provincial Conference on 18/19 February

2001.

b. TAC Kwa-Zulu Natal will hold its provincial conference on 24

February 2001.

c. TAC Western Cape will hold its provincial conference on 24/25

February 2001.

Individuals and organisations throughout South Africa are invited to

participate in these events. For further information contact the TAC

offices below.

DURBAN: 717 Colonial Building, 330 West Street (off Mark's Lane),

Durban 4001. Tel:031-304 3673 Fax:031-304 9743

Email: info@... Website: www.tac.org.za