HL Deb 26 April 2001 vol 625 c54WA
Baroness Howells of St Davids

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether multinational pharmaceutical companies are attempting to obstruct the South African Government's efforts to obtain cheap drugs; and, if so, what is their response to such attempts. [HL1754]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The pharmaceutical industry dropped its legal action against the South African Government over changes to its medicines legislation on 19 April. The Government welcome the settlement reached between the parties and believe that a constructive partnership between governments, the pharmaceutical industry and civil society provides the most effective way of combating the spread of HIV/ AIDS in South Africa and other developing countries.