Pharmaceutical companies drop a lawsuit against South Africa ending an international battle over patent rights and profit

In 1998 the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and thirty  nine international pharmaceutical companies brought a lawsuit against the South African government for patent infringement regarding the manufacture of generic versions of life saving anti-Aids drugs. These companies were demanding millions of dollars for the right to manufacture their drugs. This, as South Africa has one of the world's highest rates of HIV and AIDS among its population. On 19 April 2001, these companies dropped their legal challenges to South Africa and other third world countries producing generic versions of their patented drugs. Many of the pharmaceutical companies did not stop there, as some donated their drugs, and others sold their drugs at cost price, following the lawsuit.