Health advocates accuse Pfizer, J&J, and other pharmaceutical companies of pressuring South Africa into signing unfavorable vaccine contracts.
- The contracts were revealed as a result of a court case initiated by the Health Justice Initiative.
- Contracts involve deals between South Africa and J&J, Pfizer, SII, and Covax.
- The contracts are described as “one-sided” and alleged to have been signed under duress.
- South Africa spent around R14 billion on procuring Covid-19 vaccines.
- The contracts’ public disclosure sheds light on the negotiation dynamics between pharmaceutical companies and countries.
- Health advocates are calling for transparency and fair negotiation processes in vaccine procurement to protect the interests of countries.