Thursday, 02 June 2005
The South African Communist Party is extremely disappointed by yesterday?s ruling of the Supreme Court of Appeal against government?s attempts to lower the price of medicines and drugs. This constitutes a setback to the all-important challenge of making medicines affordable particularly to the overwhelming majority of our people.
We therefore fully support the intention of the Minister of Health, Cde Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, to appeal against this ruling in the Constitutional Court.
The SACP is particularly concerned about the high price of medicines in our country. It is also estimated that only 7% of South Africans have access to some form of medical aid. This is particularly disturbing in a country with such high levels of poverty, and the fact that our people still die from many curable diseases as a result of lack of access to affordable health care and medicines. This situation will also negatively affect attempts to provide anti-retroviral drugs for those living with the HIV virus.
Whilst respecting the decisions of the courts, we call upon our people, the trade union movement, mass organisations and NGOs in the health sector to consider a mass campaign around this matter in the new year. This should be an important component of a broader mass campaign against the generally high prices and cost of living in our country, including food prices and other basic services. We cannot leave the health of our people in the hands of profit seeking and greedy pharmaceutical, drug companies and pharmacies.
Kaizer Mohau
Media Officer
South African Communist Party (SACP)
Tel: 011 339-3621/2
Fax: 011 339-4244/6880
Cell: 073 571 7528
Email: kaizermohau@sacp.org.za
Website: www.sacp.org.za