04 February 2003
In terms of the Medicines and Related Substances Control Amendment Act, the Minister of Health is charged with appointing a Pricing Committee that will assist in bringing about more transparent pricing system for medicines in South Africa.
In this regard, I would like to bring the attention of South Africans to a notice calling for the nomination of candidates to the Pricing Committee that was published on Sunday, February 02, 2003 (The Sunday Times newspaper).
The setting up of the Pricing Committee is a significant step towards the implementation of this critical piece of legislation that seeks to facilitate access to affordable quality medicine.
The functions of the Committee include:
We call on people with necessary skills and expertise in fields specified to nominate themselves or to be nominated to the Committee.
We are looking for people with background in pharmacology, law, academic medical research, economics and health economics. People with adequate knowledge and/or experience in the following areas may also be nominated:
Each nomination should be accompanied by a comprehensive curriculum vitae as well as confirmation of the availability of the nominees. Nomination based on any constituency representation will not be considered. The competence and expertise of the nominees will be the overriding consideration.
I call upon South Africans to actively participate in this process of securing affordable quality medicine by sending your nomination(s) to the Director General of the Department of Health before February 18, 2003
Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang Minister of Health
Contact: Sibani Mngadi @ 0827720161