Transparency and fairness must be enforced in 2010 ARV tender process

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High Court finds part of 2008 ARV tender procedurally unfair Company with lowest prices unfairly excluded from bidding Questions raised as to motive for company’s exclusion

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Concerns regarding Indian trade negotiations with EU

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Letter to the High Commissioner for India to South Africa: Our concerns regarding Indian trade negotiations with EU. This letter explains that the prospect of making new ARVs available in South Africa at affordable prices is under threat because of events unfolding in India. In particular, pressure is being applied by the European Union on the Indian government to sign a bilateral trade agreement that will stifle competition on essential medicines still under patent.

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Disability Grants or Antiretrovirals – 2006

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Disability grants or antiretrovirals? A quandary for people with HIV/AIDS in South Africa Article by Chloe Hardy and Marlise Richter published in the African Journal of AIDS Research Volume 5 (1) 2006. According to the Department of Social Development, disability grants are available to adult South African citizens and permanent residents who are incapacitated and unable to work due to illness or disability. A number of people living with HIV/AIDS (PWAs) have accessed disability grants once they have fulfilled the criteria set down by the Department of Social Development. Current government policies entitle PWAs, a least in theory, to access antiretroviral medications. Where PWAs have been able to access antiretroviral treatment (ART) through the government’s antiretroviral programme, this has led to an improvement in their health and subsequent disqualification for a disability grant.

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