South Africa has not used the disputed portions of its Medicines and Related Substances Act, now tied up in court over a constitutional challenge. But health and consumer groups have urged South Africa to use the law's power to bring cheaper AIDS drugs to the country's poor. The groups are pushing for compulsory licenses, giving a local company the right to produce generic copies of drugs or import U.S. products through third parties at a lower price. Gore, however, was more worried about competing for campaign dollars from drug companies than in helping AIDS patients, Nader charged. Gore's only announced Democratic challenger, former Sen. Bill Bradley, hails from New Jersey, home of more than a dozen drug makers, Nader noted.
Drug makers say they are unfairly being singled out as the bad guys in the debate.
They say other factors besides price contribute to access problems, and they are working on ways to bring AIDS drugs to the most needy. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1999. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor. Ltd. All rights reserved.