Demonstrators Confront Pharmaceutical Company in Copenhagen
El Pato | 21.03.2001 14:29
International criticism against pharmaceutical companies who have taken the South African government to court continued in Copenhagen, Denmark yesterday. Demonstrators turned out at the general shareholders meeting of Novo Nordisk to voice their concerns, and request that the company withdraws from the lawsuit.
Tuesday, March 20th, 2001
Copenhagen, Denmark
Shareholders at the annual general shareholders meeting of Novo Nordisk, a major pharmaceutical company based in Denmark, were greeted by demonstrators criticizing the company’s policies in South Africa. About 150 people turned out in front of the Radisson Hotel in Copenhagen where the meeting was held. They carried signs and passed out information condemning Novo Nordisk’s involvement in the suit brought by 39 major profit seeking drug manufacturers against the South African government.
Representatives from Danish affiliates of Friends of the Earth (
http://sunsite.dk/noah/index.html), ATTAC ( http://www.attac.org/), The Socialist Workers Party, a local Plumber’s union, and independent groups and individuals turned out to criticize the company’s actions. They formed a narrow corridor in front of the entrance to the hotel, greeting shareholders, encouraging them to examine their consciences, and distributing information.
Chairman of the board Mads Øvlisen assured stockholders that the company has no intention of withdrawing from the lawsuit, despite international criticism. “We believe the lawsuit will not deny South Africa access to affordable AIDS medicines, and hence we have no plans to withdraw from the lawsuit, but we naturally hope that negotiations can lead to a solution,” Øvlisen said. However, he did not explain how South Africans will be able to obtain access to affordable AIDS medicines.
Novo Nordisk and other pharmaceutical companies are attacking the South African government for attempting to provide affordable treatment to those with HIV/AIDS. They insist that they will maintain control over the manufacture of these drugs, protecting their research investment and subsequent right to profit.
Around 20 Danish riot police turned out to control the mellow crowd. After welcoming demonstrators, they requested everyone to move to the rear of the building to continue the protest. The crowd laughed and taunted the police, who threatened to use “gentle” force, but in the end did nothing. The protest ended without incident after about an hour and a half.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Shareholders at the annual general shareholders meeting of Novo Nordisk, a major pharmaceutical company based in Denmark, were greeted by demonstrators criticizing the company’s policies in South Africa. About 150 people turned out in front of the Radisson Hotel in Copenhagen where the meeting was held. They carried signs and passed out information condemning Novo Nordisk’s involvement in the suit brought by 39 major profit seeking drug manufacturers against the South African government.
Representatives from Danish affiliates of Friends of the Earth (
http://sunsite.dk/noah/index.html), ATTAC ( http://www.attac.org/), The Socialist Workers Party, a local Plumber’s union, and independent groups and individuals turned out to criticize the company’s actions. They formed a narrow corridor in front of the entrance to the hotel, greeting shareholders, encouraging them to examine their consciences, and distributing information. Chairman of the board Mads Øvlisen assured stockholders that the company has no intention of withdrawing from the lawsuit, despite international criticism. “We believe the lawsuit will not deny South Africa access to affordable AIDS medicines, and hence we have no plans to withdraw from the lawsuit, but we naturally hope that negotiations can lead to a solution,” Øvlisen said. However, he did not explain how South Africans will be able to obtain access to affordable AIDS medicines.
Novo Nordisk and other pharmaceutical companies are attacking the South African government for attempting to provide affordable treatment to those with HIV/AIDS. They insist that they will maintain control over the manufacture of these drugs, protecting their research investment and subsequent right to profit.
Around 20 Danish riot police turned out to control the mellow crowd. After welcoming demonstrators, they requested everyone to move to the rear of the building to continue the protest. The crowd laughed and taunted the police, who threatened to use “gentle” force, but in the end did nothing. The protest ended without incident after about an hour and a half.
El Pato
e-mail:
rhubarbmuffin@yahoo.co.uk
