In 2023, a Johannesburg-based cystic fibrosis sufferer launched a court challenge against Vertex Pharmaceuticals, compelling them to allow generic versions of Trikafta to be imported into South Africa as they were not planning to register their product in the country. This was forcing patients (who could afford it) to travel to Argentina to source a generic version.

Recently, Vertex allowed a South African company to start importing their product via Section 21, at a more affordable price than the Argentinian product. This prompted the dropping of the lawsuit, with efforts now being redirected to improve access in the public sector.

Read the full article in the Daily Maverick.