Justice Minister Declares Period of Emergency

On May 27, 2002, Zimbabwe's Minister of Justice, P. A. Chinamasa declared a Period of Emergency in order to override antiretroviral drug patents. The declaration is effective for six months. Medicins Sans Frontieres estimates that this action will lower the price of a first-line triple therapy from US$1,168 to $412.

• Legal Documents
  • General Notice 240 of 2002: Declaration of Period of Emergency.
  • Patents Act Art. 35: Special Provisions as to State Use During Emergency.
  • Full Text of Zimbabwe's Patents Act.

• NGO Statements
  • CPTech Statement
  • June 5, 2002. Treatment Access Campaign Statement. Zimbabwe Declares Emergency to Use Generic Antiretrovirals - TAC Welcomes Step But Urges Democratic Accountability and Return to Rule of Law.
  • May 30, 2002. Health GAP Statement. Zimbabwe's declaration of 'AIDS emergency' opens doors for increased access to affordable drugs.
  • May 29, 2002. Medicins Sans Frontieres press release. Zimbabwe government takes emergency action against HIV/AIDS: Overriding patents will dramatically cut price of treatment for patients.

• News Stories
  • June 6, 2002. Dr Solomon Mutetwa for the Financial Gazette State of Emergency On HIV/Aids Begs Clarification.
  • June 6, 2002. Grace Mutandwa for the Financial Gazzette. Drugs on an empty stomach won’t do.
  • June 4, 2002. The Harare Herald. Association Lauds State Decision to Allow Use of HIV/Aids Generic Drugs.
  • June 1, 2002. Henri Cauvin for the New York Times. Zimbabwe Acts to Obtain AIDS Drugs at Low Prices.
  • May 31, 2002. The Harare Herald. Zim's Declaration On Aids Drugs Praised.
  • May 30, 2002. David Masunda for the Financial Gazette. Question Mark Greets New Aids Directive.
  • May 29, 2002. Associated Press. Zimbabwe Lifts Restrictions on AIDS.
  • May 29, 2002. Reuters. Zimbabwe Declares Emergency to Fight AIDS.
  • May 29, 2002. UN Integrated Regional Information Networks. State Declares Emergency, Allows Use of Generics.
  • May 28, 2002. Harare Herald. Emergency Declared.
  • May 27, 2002. CNN. Zimbabwe declares AIDS emergency.
  • May 13, 2002. Harare Herald State Seeks to Make Anti-Retroviral Drugs Affordable.