Free Trade Agreements with the US — Are they good for your health?

Through its participation in the South African Customs Union (SACU), South Africa has been involved in negotiations with the United States government on the finalization of a free trade agreement (FTA). Although the US-SACU negotiations eventually ground to a halt, they are more than likely to be reinstated some time soon, and the farreaching implications they portend will have to be confronted afresh. The concern of this contribution is the effect of the US insistence on stronger intellectual property protection for pharmaceutical patents in these bilateral agreements, the resultant impact on the prices of medicines for life-threatening conditions such as HIV/AIDS and related opportunistic diseases. This paper explores some critical issues related to FTAs, examines some of the pressure impacting on the negotiations, reviews the trends around the protection of pharmaceutical patents in some recently concluded agreements, and considers their implications for SACU countries

Learning from experience: the art and science of clinical law

Clinical law is a teaching discipline in terms of which students learn the skills, ethics and values necessary for the practice of law. Its mission is accomplished through the practical involvement of students in legal work, whether it is through simulated exercises or representing actual clients in their legal problems. Throughout this process, they are guided by teachers or supervisors who are practising lawyers within the law school. What is unique to this discipline is the employment of teaching methodologies which are experientially-based and geared towards problem solving, rather than ‘academic’ in nature. This contribution looks at some recent developments with regard to the regulation of the legal profession and suggests that clinical law is set to assume an even greater significance with the prospect that the period of vocational training is likely to be reduced, in terms of the draft Legal Practice Bill. Furthermore, the contribution argues that such an approach is a more effective form of teaching and learning, and that its methodologies should be integrated into other teaching disciplines. It also explores a model for implementing the notions expressed in this piece. Finally, based on the experiences of South African law clinics, it argues that clinical law can be delivered effectively even in resource-strapped situations

The Impact of International Legal Rules in Facilitating the Public's Access to Medicines in South Africa

This paper explores the role played by international legal treaties, conventions and agreements that are binding on South Africa, in promoting the public’s access to medicines. In greater detail the impact that the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) of 1994, the Convention on Biological Diversity of 1992, and the United States of America’s Bahy-Dole Act of 1980 have had in the development of South Africa intellectual property (IP) law is examined. In addition, a question regarding whether such international legal instruments have positively impacted the public’s access to medicines is considered. The paper concludes that compliance with international IP law rules is not a silver bullet that will solve South Africa’s challenges relating to access to medicines. The protection of the public’s right to access to medicines in South Africa is strongly dependent on the government’s political will of ensuring that IP law is implemented to serve public good and public and private pharmaceutical patent holders are held accountable regarding the socially-responsible utilization of their IP

A 'snip' in time: what is the best age to circumcise?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Circumcision is a common procedure, but regional and societal attitudes differ on whether there is a need for a male to be circumcised and, if so, at what age. This is an important issue for many parents, but also pediatricians, other doctors, policy makers, public health authorities, medical bodies, and males themselves.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>We show here that infancy is an optimal time for clinical circumcision because an infant's low mobility facilitates the use of local anesthesia, sutures are not required, healing is quick, cosmetic outcome is usually excellent, costs are minimal, and complications are uncommon. The benefits of infant circumcision include prevention of urinary tract infections (a cause of renal scarring), reduction in risk of inflammatory foreskin conditions such as balanoposthitis, foreskin injuries, phimosis and paraphimosis. When the boy later becomes sexually active he has substantial protection against risk of HIV and other viral sexually transmitted infections such as genital herpes and oncogenic human papillomavirus, as well as penile cancer. The risk of cervical cancer in his female partner(s) is also reduced. Circumcision in adolescence or adulthood may evoke a fear of pain, penile damage or reduced sexual pleasure, even though unfounded. Time off work or school will be needed, cost is much greater, as are risks of complications, healing is slower, and stitches or tissue glue must be used.</p> <p>Summary</p> <p>Infant circumcision is safe, simple, convenient and cost-effective. The available evidence strongly supports infancy as the optimal time for circumcision.</p

Transparency in Medicines Regulatory Affairs Reclaiming Missed Opportunities

Transparency is a salutary value in our constitutional architecture. It has also been described as a necessary element in promoting accountability in the regulatory aspects of essential medicines. Despite its several incarnations, the Medicines and Related Substances Act (Medicines Act) retains a provision headed 'Preservation of secrecy' (section 34). This contributionseeks to evaluate section 34 in the context of transparency and ascertain whether it is in conflict with other legislation pertaining to the promotion of access to information and, in particular, whether it is consistent with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa

A South African study comparing the effectiveness of computer-based learning materials and face-to-face teaching

This paper compares the effectiveness of in-house developed computer-based learning (CBL) materials with face-to-face teaching. Two groups of higher education students were randomly assigned to complete tutorial work in one highly structured topic of introductory accounting using either CBL materials (treatment group) or face-to-face teaching (control group). The effectiveness of both approaches was measured according to the students’ performance in a class test, in relation to their prior accounting knowledge and gender. The results showed that the students with no prior accounting knowledge who completed the CBL materials achieved a significantly higher test mark than the face-to-face teaching group. However, there was no significant difference in the marks of the students with prior accounting knowledge, and there was no difference on the basis of gender. The results of this South African study correspond to results in existing literature in other countries, and contribute to the overall knowledge of the effectiveness of CBL materials with respect to prior accounting knowledge and gender.Accounting education, Computer-based learning (CBL), Face-to-face teaching, Gender, Prior accounting experience, Student performance

Source Apportionment of Airborne Particulate Matter in the United Kingdom

This report is concerned with identifying the sources of airborne particulate matter and in predicting future changes in concentrations arising from controls applied to the various source categories