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SA’S MEDICINE PATENT LAWS MUST BE CHANGED
– INTERVIEW SALOME MEYER https://youtu.be/IygOCleU1Z4 SABC TV interviewed Salome Meyer from the Cancer Alliance on the problems around the cost of cancer medications, particularly Herceptin (trastuzumab), an important drug used for certain types of breast cancer.
SAHRC ACTS TO PROTECT CANCER PATIENT’S RIGHTS TO ADEQUATE HEALTHCARE
The media statement below was issued by the South Africa Human Rights Commission on 15th June 2017. The full report entitled Investigative Report - Dr Imran Keeka, DA, MPL vs Addington Hospital & 3 others, KwaZulu Natal, Complaint File Ref: KZ/1516/0451 of 15th...
SA’S MEDICINE PATENT LAWS MUST BE CHANGED – INTERVIEW SALOME MEYER
SABC TV interviewed Salome Meyer from the Cancer Alliance on the problems around the cost of cancer medications, particularly Herceptin (trastuzumab), an important drug used for certain types of breast cancer. Watch the interview here.
VISION CANCER NEWSLETTER – JUNE 2017
[icon name="eye" class="" unprefixed_class=""] VISION Newsletter June 2017 Durban’s last public sector oncologist leaves - Major global research funders take lead on clinical trial transparency - Cancer Alliance Advocacy Toolkit Priority area #2 : Early detection and...
COST OF CANCER TREATMENT IN SA – INTERVIEW PROF MICHAEL HERBST
Prof Michael Herbst of CANSA was interviewed on SABC TV on the question of the exorbitant costs of cancer medications and the announcement by the Competition Commission of its probe into the pricing of several cancer medicines in South Africa. Watch this short...
COST OF CANCER TREATMENT IN SA – INTERVIEW PROF MICHAEL HERBST
Prof Michael Herbst of CANSA was interviewed on SABC TV on the question of the exorbitant costs of cancer medications and the announcement by the Competition Commission of its probe into the pricing of several cancer medicines in South Africa.
FTPL COALITION WELCOMES COMPETITION COMMISSION PROBE INTO CANCER MEDICINES
FTPL Coalition welcomes landmark Competition Commission probe into prices of cancer medicines JOHANNESBURG, 13 JUNE 2017: The Fix the Patent Laws coalition welcomes the Competition Commission’s announcement earlier today that they will investigate the pricing...
COMPETITION COMMISSION ANNOUNCES INVESTIGATION INTO VARIOUS DRUGS FOR CANCER
The Competition Commission of South Africa Media For immediate release 13 June 2017 MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE COMMISSIONER ON THE INVESTIGATION INTO MANUFACTURERS OF CANCER DRUGS Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen of the media. As you may be aware, the Competition...
TIMELINE OF ACCESS TO TRASTUZUMAB IN SOUTH AFRICA
People are dying because big pharmaceutical companies like Roche are doing everything possible to exploit any loopholes which enable the sale of life-saving medicine for obscene profits. This timeline of Trastuzumab—a breast cancer medicine developed through public and private funding many decades ago—tells the story of the long and ongoing…
WHY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REFORM IN SOUTH AFRICA WILL HELP NOT HURT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION IN THE COUNTRY
Sensible reforms to South Africa’s patent laws will not harm the economy or inhibit domestic innovation. To the contrary, in this paper we provide evidence that sensible reforms can both stimulate the economy and bolster innovation – all while improving the access that people living in South Africa have to…
MAVERICK CITIZEN: HEALTH Dying for Treatment: The struggle for affordable breast cancer medicines in South Africa
Across the world, October is marked as breast cancer month. It is an opportunity to create awareness, educate people and provide support for breast cancer survivors and those close to them. In South Africa, more than 10 dedicated breast cancer organisations do their bit. No other single cancer in South…
Cancer Alliance publishes the first
fact sheet on biosimilars in South Africa
Biosimilars are pharmaceutical products that are almost identical copies of existing medicines. Cancer Alliance publishes the first fact sheet on biosimilars in South Africa. The approval and availability of biosimilars will influence access and affordability of lifesaving medicines. Patients, clinicians and funders need to informed about these new opportunities to ensure that patients always have…
SANCDA LETTER AND REPORT TO MINISTER OF HEALTH
Letter and Report to the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, from the South African Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance Please download and read the following two important documents: Letter to the new Minister of Health requesting urgent consultation and proposing important interventions in support of transition consistent with the SDGs and…
BREAST CANCER FACT SHEETS
Download the following Fact Sheets: https://dev.canceralliance.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Breast-Cancer-Symptoms-Fact-Sheet-V0.pdf https://dev.canceralliance.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Breast-Cancer-Risk-Factors-Fact-Sheet-V0.pdf
PATIENT STORY: RETHA WESSELS
RETHA WESSELS, 57DIAGNOSED WITH MULTIPLE MYELOMA “I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in April 2012, and in November applied to my medical scheme for a stem cell transplant. They indicated that I first required chemotherapy treatment with a co-payment of about R40,000. After complying, stem cell treatment coverage was approved…
SUE JOHNSON SPEAKS ABOUT MULTIPLE MYELOMA AND LENALIDOMIDE
Sue Johnson and Lenalidomide Sue Johnson was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and with Multiple Myeloma in 2014. While she was initially able to access a generic lenalidomide treatment from India on a Section 21 authorisation from the Medicines Control Council at a price of about R5000 per month,…
PATIENT STORY: JAYNE HEWISON
Jayne Hewison, diagnosed with multiple myeloma I am an 8 year survivor of Multiple Myeloma, an as-yet incurable cancer of the blood. I’ve had 2 stem cell transplants and don’t have much alternative to treatment with lenalidomide. Towards the end of 2016, while being treated in Kwazulu Natal by a…
PATIENT STORY: GRANT DAVIES
Grant Davies, diagnosed with multiple myeloma In April 2014, I was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer called Multiple Myeloma. I was 43 at the time, a husband, and father to a 5 year old. My treatment included radiation, chemotherapy, and two stem cell transplants. I had a good response,…
PATIENT STORY: VENO GOVENDER
Veno Govender, diagnosed with multiple myeloma My name is Veno Govender. I’m from South Africa in the city of Cape Town. A plasmacytoma was found in my right humerus in December 2016. Since then I have had a humerus replacement, Chemo and a SCT Further to that upon all the…
PATIENT STORY: TEBOHO SHAI
Teboho Shai, diagnosed with multiple myeloma I was diagnosed with stage 3 B Multiple Myeloma at age 57 in April 2016 and consequently became paralysed. At the time I was living in Pretoria self employed as a consultant. I am married to Veliswa and I’m a proud father of 6…
MOTIVATION FOR: PROMPT APPROVAL OF TRASTUZUMAB BIOSIMILARS TO PROMOTE COMPETITION IN THE MARKET
17 July 2019: Cancer Alliance submits a motivation to SAHPRA for the prompt approval of trastuzumab biosimilars to promote competition in the market. The Cancer Alliance of South Africa submits this memorandum in support of its request that SAHPRA promptly register biosimilars of the breast cancer medicine trastuzumab for which…
LAUNCHING THE CAMPAIGN FOR ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE LENALIDOMIDE
Minister Mkhize must ensure access to cancer medicine that WHO now considers “essential” Johannesburg (9 July 2019) — It was announced today that lenalidomide, a lifesaving medicine to treat multiple myeloma, has been included on the latest edition of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Essential Medicines List (EML). Welcoming the…
SANCDA LETTER AND REPORT TO MINISTER OF HEALTH – JUNE 2019
Letter and Report to the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, from the South African Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance Please download and read the following two important documents: Letter to the new Minister of Health requesting urgent consultation and proposing important interventions in support of transition consistent with the SDGs and…
CANCER ALLIANCE PUBLISHES SECTION 4 OF THE ADVOCACY TOOLKIT ON THE NEW BREAST CANCER POLICY: TREATMENT & PALLIATIVE CARE
Breast Cancer Control Policy 2017 25th February 2019 The Cancer Alliance today publishes the fourth and final part of its series on the Breast Cancer Control Policy with Section 4: Treatment & Palliative Care South Africa’s new Breast Cancer Control Policy is a vital document aimed at prioritising breast cancer…
CANCER ALLIANCE CALLS FOR AFFORDABLE LENALIDOMIDE
Cancer Alliance calls for access to affordable lenalidomide for public and private sector patients in South Africa EMBARGOED UNTIL FRIDAY FEBRUARY 15 Many cancer patients in South Africa do not have access to affordable cancer medicines – many of which are available in other countries at a fraction of the…
CANCER ALLIANCE PUBLISHES SECTION 3 OF THE ADVOCACY TOOLKIT ON THE NEW BREAST CANCER POLICY: ACCESS TO CARE
Breast Cancer Control Policy 2017 14th December 2018 The Cancer Alliance today publishes the third part of its series on the Breast Cancer Control Policy with Section 3: Access to Care. South Africa’s new Breast Cancer Control Policy is a vital document aimed at prioritising breast cancer awareness, prevention, treatment…
WHAT IS UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE?
Universal health coverage (UHC) ensures all people, everywhere, can access the quality health services they need without suffering financial hardship. It is a fundamentally political goal rooted in the human right to health. It is also one of the smartest investments any country can make. Why Universal Health Coverage? Health…
OPEN LETTER TO THE SOUTH AFRICAN HEALTH PRODUCTS REGULATORY AUTHORITY (SAHPRA) ON ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE TRASTUZUMAB TREATMENT FOR WOMEN DIAGNOSED WITH HER2+
11 December 2018 Prof Helen Rees Chairperson: SAHPRA Dear Professor Rees and officials at SAHPRA, This letter could have been composed by ANY of the women in South Africa, diagnosed with HER2+ Breast Cancer who have been denied access to lifesaving treatment of Herceptin® by their private medical funder due to…
CANCER ALLIANCE PUBLISHES SECTION 2 OF THE ADVOCACY TOOLKIT ON THE NEW BREAST CANCER POLICY: AWARENESS AND PREVENTION
Breast Cancer Control Policy 2017 26th November 2018 The Cancer Alliance today continues its series on the Breast Cancer Control Policy with Section 2: Awareness and Prevention. South Africa’s new Breast Cancer Control Policy is a vital document aimed at prioritising breast cancer awareness, prevention, treatment and care in South…
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