Contact:
Mark Heywood: 011 403 6918; a/h 012 650 0270; 083 308 5328
Elize Petoors, Vicky Ahblein: 021 423 5026; 082 370 5307
Eric Goemare, Médecins Sans Frontières: 082 370 0542
E-mail: shasha@netactive.co.za or zackie@pixie.co.za

In a completely unprecedented move in any developing country, the drug giant Pfizer has listened to activist demands and agreed to provide Fluconazole (Diflucan(r)) to AIDS patients with cryptococcal meningitis free of charge.

In the last two months people across Southern Africa and the world rejoiced when they heard that the drug company Pfizer would donate fluconazole free of charge to people with HIV/AIDS. The donation was for cryptococcal meniningitis and covered people who could not afford the drug. TAC supported the Health Minister and government’s acceptance of the donation. We hoped that drug companies had at last learnt that people's lives were more important than profits. We were wrong. The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) has learnt from Pfizer representatives that they:

€ Insist on limiting their donation to a period of two and a half years—the exact period when their fluconazole patent or exclusive licence to sell will expire.

€ Refuse to extend the offer to treat thrush (see TAC leaflet).

€ Refuse to include countries other than South Africa in the offer.

€ Refuse to reduce the price to lower than R4.00 per capsule for all other uses.  

By refusing to negotiate, Pfizer is condemning countless people to suffering and possible death because they cannot afford the unreasonable price that the company is putting on the drug. Pfizer’s "gift" appears to have been a fraud to protect their profits. Therefore, TAC will organise people nationally and allies internationally to take action against the company—this action will include: demonstrations, pickets, consumer action and litigation.

We urge the Minister of Health to continue the negotiations to accept the Pfizer donation because it will help save lives, while all of us engage in action to make Pfizer see reason. We urge every individual and organisation to join the following activities:

€ On 20 June 2000, TAC will picket the Pfizer factory in Pietermaritzburg. We invite people to join us at 5 Polmed Road, Willowton Pietermaritzburg. Transport will leave from TAC offices in Durban at 11h00.

€ Attend the Interfaith Service for Positive Living hosted by World Conference on Religion and Peace and the Coalition for Children Living in an HIV Positive World – 22 June 2000 at 12h30 in the Gandhi/Luthuli Hall, Durban City Hall

€ On 26 June 2000, TAC will picket the Pfizer SA headquarters in Sandton Johannesburg. (Contact Pholokgholo Ramotshwala on 011-403 0265)

€ Join the March for HIV/AIDS Treatment Access on 9 July 2000 sponsored by TAC and HealthGap Coalition. Endorsed by Cosatu and Nactu.

Please contact Promise Mthembu, Nkanyezi Nkabinde or Obed Qulo for comment on (031-304 3673 or 083 467 1152)

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