Big Pharma sues South Africa

A coalition of 39 major pharmaceutical companies attempts to prosecute the South African government for passing a law that allows easy production and importation of generics. ‘Big Pharma’ is eventually forced to back down and drop the case following a huge outcry from the international community including the South African government, the European Parliament and 300,000 people from more than 130 countries who sign a petition against the action. This is a significant case as it brings access to medicines for developing countries into the public consciousness.