(1) In light of the fact that the Republic to date has received 23,4% of its Johnson & Johnson supply, yet Aspen has been exporting some of its Johnson & Johnson vaccines abroad, what efforts is his department making in negotiating for Aspen to receive a full technology transfer agreement and not leave the fight to civil society alone considering the monopoly enjoyed by Johnson & Johnson,
(2) whether his department will consider a revision of the Republic’s patent laws to ensure that big pharmaceutical companies do not take advantage of the intellectual property laws at the expense of ordinary South Africans whose health should be a priority; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? [NW2577E]