Day June 11, 2020

SOUTH AFRICA: MORE THAN 80 ACADEMICS, RESEARCHERS AND TEACHERS CALL ON PRESIDENT TO FIX THE PATENT LAWS

[Afro Chic] More than 80 leading academics, teachers and researchers have written to the President surrounding the need to make changes to South Africa’s patent law, particularly around issues pertaining to COVID-19. It details their urges to the President to engage in a process of law reform- something to which his offices have already committed, although progress in this regard has been slow. The letter relates to both existing and prospective patented and patentable equipment that may be used to combat or mitigate the effects of the pandemic and includes products such as respirators and personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as diagnostic testing equipment and medicines.

The Case for Compulsory Licensing During COVID-19

[Hillary Wong] Over the past few months, the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated industrialized countries in Asia, Europe, and North America. The outbreak will inevitably escalate in developing countries as well. While there is yet to be a proven cure or treatment for COVID-19, commonly referred to as the coronavirus, researchers are racing to test new and existing drugs in search of an effective panacea. As governments of developing countries ramp up efforts to fight the virus, they must take measures not only to contain the virus but also to ensure that COVID-19 treatments will be accessible and affordable following discovery.