SA must legislate to allow generics for TB drugs
PROF Bavesh Kana, of Wits University, chairs the World TB Conference at the ICC in Durban this week. This conference seeks to explore ways to batten down and improve TB treatment in South Africa and across the globe.
Some 10 million people are infected globally with TB, of which about two million infections are in South Africa. This is primarily due to HIV infections prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa.
Apparently very few people in South Africa know about the TB epidemic facing compatriots and its consequences, coupled to a treatment regime that is even less understood by the hoi polloi. They go about their business seemingly oblivious to this deadly threat to our people at large.
Drug resistance compounds this TB problem, mostly fed by HIV inflicted sufferers, whose immune systems are weakened considerably, allowing for TB and HIV/Aids to run roughshod over them.
Compounding this medical treatment here is the price of TB treatment, as generic TB medicine is not legislated for by the powers that be. The big pharmaceutical companies hold patent rights to these potentially lifesaving drugs so desperately needed by TB and HIV patients at large!
This week's World TB Conference seeks to redress and address the complete TB treatment regime and saga from cradle to grave. Here a holistic approach to TB treatment is being sought, while also seeking to get the generic supply of TB drugs into reality.
Coupled with this is also the follow-through of treatment, thus preventing the birth of stronger TB strains, TB awareness in general and TB prevention strategies as the norm. May they succeed in their endeavours to save those of us so infected.
Pharmaceutical companies, come to the Durban ICC TB gathering seeking solutions and stop seeing profits only under the guise of research costs! Government, legislate accordingly!
India has done it, why can't South Africa do the same? Medicine in this regard has to be practically free, if we are to win this battle against this deadly disease.
May sense prevail, Lord.
Denzyl Harper, Korsten, Port Elizabeth
