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Wednesday, May 27, 2026
News and Views from the Global South
Bitter Pill: Obstacles to Affordable Medicine
MALAWI: “Commotion About Anti-Counterfeit Bill Is Unnecessary”
The Malawian government intends to pass a new bill against counterfeit goods by October which will also cover medicines. This step is being taken despite fears that such a law may cause more stock-outs in a country that is already riddled with drug shortages in medical facilities.SOUTH AFRICA: Public Sector Struggling with Shortages of 80 Drugs
South Africa is experiencing a shortage of over 80 different drugs in its public health sector, including flu vaccinations and medication for tuberculosis and high blood pressure. The severity of shortages varies from province to province and hospital to hospital, depending on the leadership and skills levels of management.Q&A: “Concern About Anti-Counterfeit Campaign Is Alarmist”
Civil society criticism that the anti-counterfeit policy drive in East Africa could result in the blocking of legitimate and affordable generic medicines is merely aimed at raising fear among the region’s inhabitants.
Q&A: Anti-Counterfeit Policy Will Provide “Proper” Generics
The anti-counterfeit draft policy and law that the East African Community (EAC) is currently considering will ensure access to "proper" generic medicines and not fakes, EAC secretary general Juma Mwapachu says in defence of a policy which is criticised as blocking affordable and legitimate generic medicines.UGANDA: New Version of Anti-Counterfeiting Bill Still Problematic
The Ugandan government’s controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Bill has been amended after civil society organisations campaigned against provisions in the bill that may restrict access to generic medicines, which form the bulk of medicines used in the East African country.RIGHTS: Zambia Pushes Anti-Counterfeit Bill Despite Health Danger
Zambia is pushing forward with formulating an anti-counterfeit draft law which will include medicines, despite the controversy that has surrounded similar laws in East Africa and despite having existing legislation which has been used to successfully prosecute counterfeiters of medicines.HEALTH: Uganda Bill Shouldn’t Block Generics, Minister Agrees
Uganda’s trade minister is in agreement that his government’s controversial Counterfeit Goods Bill should not restrict the manufacture or import of life-saving generic medicines.
RIGHTS-KENYA: Court Victory Against “Anti-Counterfeit” Agenda
The Constitutional Court in Kenya has barred the government from implementing the Anti-Counterfeit Act of 2008 as it applies to generic medicines until a verdict is delivered in a case filed by three people living with HIV.AFRICA: Anti-Counterfeit Laws Threaten Universal Access to ARVs
East African countries risk not attaining the millennium development goal (MDG) on universal treatment of people living with HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases if the region’s parliament adopts the anti-counterfeits policy and bill currently under consideration.
KENYA: State Insists Counterfeit Law Does Not Threaten Rights
Kenya’s Constitutional Court heard on Mar. 18 from counsel representing the government that the Anti-Counterfeit Act of 2008 does not threaten the importation or manufacturing of cheap generic medicines and therefore does not deny Kenyans their constitutional right to life.HEALTH-UGANDA: EU Supports Law Threatening Access to Medicines
The European Union (EU) is funding the drafting of Uganda’s controversial Counterfeit Goods Bill, a proposed law that has caused an outcry as it threatens access to life-saving generic medicines in this low income East African country. Some 90 percent of medicines used in Uganda’s health-care system are imported, of which about 93 percent are generics.
HEALTH-SOUTH AFRICA: Prescription Drug Abuse on the Increase
Twenty-two-year-old Sara Allen* uses prescription medication to get high.
Q&A: "Intellectual Property Rights Do Not Assure Quality"
Kenya and Tanzania have recently passed anti-counterfeit laws and regulations that risk blocking legitimate generic medicines instead of fake products, which is the purported purpose of these laws. Uganda is now considering a similar bill.
KENYA: Anti-Counterfeit Law “Violates Right to Life and Health”
Kenya’s new Anti-Counterfeit Act will be challenged on Mar 8 next year in the country’s Constitutional Court on the basis that it violates the right to health. The petitioners, three people living with HIV, argue that the law confuses generic and fake medicine. This could cause a health crisis as generics constitute 90 percent of medicines used in Kenya.HEALTH: Uganda’s Counterfeits Bill Threatens Access to Medicine
Uganda is considering an anti-counterfeit bill which analysts say will impair the country’s ability to import and export cheap but effective generic medicines. Activists fear that the bill, once enacted, will deny Ugandans access to safe, effective, quality and affordable generic medication which currently forms the bulk of Uganda’s medicine imports.HEALTH: EU Blocking Medicines for the Poor
The European Union is intercepting big shipments of medicines on their way to poorer countries, according to a new report published Tuesday.HEALTH-AFRICA: Financial Crisis Scapegoat for ARV Stockouts?
Shortages in supply of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs are caused by lack of political will and bad supply management, not by the global economic crisis, health experts say.
HEALTH-SAO TOME: The Forest is the Pharmacy
If you live in São Tomé, a good investment in your health is to plant a po-sabom tree (Dracaena aroborea) in your backyard. Leave space: it can grow up to 20 metres high, with sword-shaped leaves.
HEALTH-SOUTH AFRICA: Wheeling and Healing
Every weekday morning, a stylish procession leaves the offices of MaAfrika Tikkun NGO in Delft, Cape Town; bumps and jolts through the gravel entry gates; then hits the tar and scatters into every corner of the township...
HEALTH-AFRICA: Neglected Diseases Under the Microscope
Neglected diseases, neglected people. Marcel Tanner uses the phrase to emphasise the attitude of drug developers towards tropical diseases that primarily affect the marginalised poor.HEALTH: WHO Urges Universal Rotavirus Vaccine
The World Health Organisation (WHO) urged Friday that rotavirus vaccines be included in routine immunisation schedules of countries around the world in order to provide global protection against the most common and lethal form of diarrheal disease.« Previous Page — Next Page »
