Drug companies drop lawsuit challenging AIDS drugs law скачать в хорошем качестве

Drug companies drop lawsuit challenging AIDS drugs law

(19 Apr 2001) 1. Exterior shot Pretoria High Court 2. Close up sign against the pharmaceutical companies 3. Various interior shots of courtroom- crowd awaiting verdict 4. Mid shot lawyers 5. South African Health Minister Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang arriving in court 6. Zackie Achmat, Treatment Action Campaign, singing 7. Wide courtroom 8. Close up lawyer 9. Two shots crowd cheering after verdict is read out 10. Health minister hugging supporters 11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, South African Health Minister "This is an initial victory for not just South Africa but for the whole of the world and particularly South Africa." 12. Set up shot Zackie Achmat, Treatment Action Campaign 13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Zackie Achmat, Treatment Action Campaign "There is a complete withdrawal by the P-M-A (Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association).There is a complete withdrawal. Nothing in the order of the court says there is a deal. It says the companies are withdrawing, that's an order of court. So from our point of view that's the legal position." 14. Wide shot courtroom 15. Set up shot 16. SOUNDBITE: (English) Mirryena Deeb, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association spokesperson "Under those circumstances the government has basically agreed to observe it's international law obligations. So whatever complies with the TRIPS agreement (agreement of trade related aspects of intellectual property rights) - we will not change." 17. Two shots crowds cheering outside courtroom 18. Health Minister Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang leaving courtroom 19. Wide court room 20. Crowds cheering outside courtroom STORYLINE: Pharmaceutical giants dropped a lawsuit on Thursday against a South African law that could provide cheaper AIDS drugs to millions of Africans, ending an international battle that deeply embarrassed the companies. The lawsuit over patent rights and profit was seen by human rights groups and AIDS activists as a landmark battle in the effort to secure medication for the 26 million (m) people in Africa infected with HIV. The law could allow South Africa to import or make cheap generic versions of patented drugs, including otherwise expensive antiretroviral drugs needed to treat AIDS. Activists who packed the Pretoria courtroom erupted into cheers and songs when Stephanus Cilliers, a lawyer for the 39 drug companies, told the judge that "the application is withdrawn." The suit has opened the drug companies to broad criticism since it began six weeks ago. Many have responded by drastically cutting prices on their own. But even with the severe price reductions offered by some companies, the vast majority of people suffering in Africa could not afford the medications. Human rights groups say prices would fall even further in the face of generic competition. Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said South Africa had not agreed to any deals regarding the law, which passed but has not been implemented. The drug companies also agreed to pay all the costs of the case. Mirryena Deeb, chief executive of the country's Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, said the suit was dropped as a "result of a negotiating process." She said the government had agreed to consult the companies when they draft the regulations to implement the law. The 39 pharmaceutical companies that brought the suit argued that a 1997 South African law regulating medicines was too broad and unfairly targeted drug manufacturers. In 2000, 2.4 million people in the region died from the effects of AIDS. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...