arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)

Thousands march against drugs multinationals
Thousands of protesters marched from Pretoria's Church Square around 11am on Monday to the city's High Court where they picketed to show support for the government in its court battle against the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers' Association - a group which represents multinational drug companies. 39 pharmaceutical companies are currently engaged in an international legal battle with the South African government to stop local firms producing cheaper generic drugs stating that their "patent copyright" is being violated. Drug companies make billions of pounds in profits annually through the sale of drugs such as AZT. The marchers included members of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), the African National Congress, the SA Communist Party, the Treatment Action Campaign, and other unions. Read full story London action March 7
^M Find out more from: Treatment Action Campaign Voluntary Service Overseas Action for Southern Africa