Fix the Patent Laws

CANSA Advocacy is now represented on the steering committee of this campaign.

On 8th August 2017 the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) published the Draft Intellectual Property (IP) Policy of the Republic of South Africa. The Fix the Patent Laws campaign welcomes the publication for public comment.

The draft policy identifies public health as a priority on the basis of important public interest considerations. It indicates that the DTI, together with key government departments, intends to address substantively in the immediate term, access to medicines, vaccines and diagnostics and South Africa’s approach to international IP cooperation. This policy and law reform process could thus be an important constitutional measure “to achieve the progressive realisation” of the right to health.

Many people in South Africa continue to die and suffer because they cannot access the medicines that they need. This policy provides hope to those people. It is now up to government to deliver on this promise by swiftly implementing wide-ranging law reform in line with this policy.

The submission with comments has been sent to the Department of Trade and Industry.