In March 2001, 40 multi-national pharmaceutical companies brought litigation against South Africa for its Medicines Act, which allowed the generic production of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) for treating HIV, despite the fact that these drugs were on-patent. HIV was and is an epidemic in South Africa, and ARVs at the time cost between 10,000 and 15,000 USD per patient per year. This was unaffordable for most South African citizens, and so the South African government committed to providing ARVs at prices closer to what people could afford. To do so, they would need to ignore the patents on drugs and produce generics within the country (using a compulsory license), or import them from abroad. After international protest in favour of public health rights (including the collection of 250,000 signatures by MSF), the governments of several developed countries (including The Netherlands, Germany, France, and later the US) backed the South African government, and the case was dropped in April of that year. COUNT 9
QSN1 How much did treatment for each patient in Africa cost? ANS1 10,000 and 15,000 USD per patient per year QSN2 Who backed the South African government which caused the case to be dropped? ANS2 The Netherlands, Germany, France, and later the US QSN3 Who brought litigation to South Africa? ANS3 40 multi-national pharmaceutical companies QSN4 How many signatures were collected by MSF? ANS4 250,000 signatures QSN5 When was litigation brought to South Africa? ANS5 March 2001 QSN6 How many companies sued South Africa for its Medicines Act? ANS6 40 QSN7 South Africa's Medicines Act allowed for the generic production of what kind of drugs? ANS7 antiretroviral QSN8 How much did ARV drugs cost patients yearly? ANS8 between 10,000 and 15,000 USD QSN9 How many signatures were collected supporting public health rights? ANS9 250,000