20 September 2005

Minister Pierre Uys

Western Cape Ministry of Health

PO Box 2060

Cape Town, 8000

Dear Minister Uys

RE: Call by concerned health workers demanding action against the Dr Rath Foundation

We are health professionals involved in the Provincial antiretroviral programme. This is probably one of the largest challenges our health services have ever been confronted with.

We hereby voice our outrage at the unhindered activities of the Dr Rath Health Foundation. In the name of this Foundation, our patients are being inundated with propaganda encouraging them to stop life-saving medicine.

Many of us have had experiences with HIV-infected patients who have had their health compromised by stopping their antiretrovirals due to the activities of this Foundation.

We are deeply concerned that materials distributed by the Dr Rath Health Foundation claim to have the support of our government. For patients with advanced HIV disease, stopping antiretroviral medicine, even for a few weeks, can be the difference between life and death.

For patients who are relatively well on antiretroviral medication, interruptions in treatment are known to increase the likelihood of viral resistance and treatment failure, and could in turn lead to premature death.

For our community at large, infected and uninfected, any intervention which increases the chances of circulating strains of drug resistant virus are a public health risk, putting patients who are presently infected and those at high risk of infection in danger of becoming infected with an untreatable and fatal form of infection.

In addition, the Foundation is in breach of many of the ethical principles we, in our professions, adhere to in order to protect our patients. They have conducted unregistered clinical experiments on patients, and distribute unregistered medicines with potentially harmful effects.

Our patients are vulnerable because of the burdens of illness and associated stigma and we believe, as state-employed health professionals, that it is the duty of our government to protect these patients by ensuring that the medical care that they receive conforms with the requirements of the law and is based on widely accepted scientific data.

It is our belief that this would ensure that their constitutional rights of access to health care are realised. We are bound by conscience to make this call on our government.

We are writing to you to request that action be taken at your instigation, whether by your office or the appropriate arm of government or some other appropriate body, immediately against the Dr Rath Health Foundation, for the following contraventions:

1) The conduct of human clinical trials without application to and authorisation from the Medicines Control Council as required by the General Regulations to the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965 (regulation 34 of the General Regulations No. 510, dated 10 April 2003), and without ethical approval from an appropriate ethics committee for human subjects research.

2) The sale of unregistered medicines which are subject to registration, in contravention of section 14 of the Medicines and Related Substances Act. In terms of the Act ‘€œsell’€ includes the distribution of medicines without financial reward.

3) Publishing and distributing false advertisements concerning medicines, in contravention of section 20 of the aforementioned Act.

In spite of numerous protestations to government officials and bodies such as the Medicines Control Council, we are dismayed at the failure to respond to these infringements. If there is no evidence of action against the Dr Rath Health Foundation by 27 September 2005, we will publicly voice our objection at the failure of government to provide protection to our patients.

We look forward to immediate action against the Dr Rath Foundation and to hearing from you in regard to this dangerous situation.

Signed by (Name, designation and place of HIV-related work):

1. Dr AA Aboo, Physician: Groote Schuur Hospital

2. Dr I Abraham, Principal Medical Officer: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

3. Dr M Abrahams, Medical Officer: Site B HIV Clinic

4. Mr N Adams, Principal pharmacist: Khayelitsha CHC

5. Ms Shabnam Aghdasi, Student Intern: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

6. Sr Patti Apollis, Paediatric Clinical Nurse Practioner: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

7. Dr Valerie Asselman, Registrar: Groote Schuur Hospital

8. Ms Sizeka Baleni, Counsellor: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

9. Dr Z Barday, Physician: Groote Schuur Hospital

10. Ms Victoria Barend, Counsellor: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

11. Sr Asa Barendse, Registered Nurse: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

12. Ms Bejaphi, Adherence counsellor: Hout Bay / Imizamo Yethu

13. Dr Linda-Gail Bekker, Physician: Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Gugulethu and Masiphumelele Clinics

14. Prof. Solly Benatar, Physician and Bioethicist: UCT

15. Mr Galroy Benjamin, Adherence counsellor: Tygerberg Hospital

16. Ms N Benzi, General support staff: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

17. Dr Alison Berrisford, Medical Officer: Groote Schuur Hospital

18. Ms Marietjie Bester, Registered Nurse: Tygerberg Hospital

19. Sr Jenny Blease, Professional Nurse: Nomzamo, Lwandle, Macassar

20. Dr Liz Blumenthal, Medical Officer: G F Jooste Hospital

21. Dr Peter Bock, Medical Officer: Gugulethu ARV Clinic

22. Ms Gertrude Boswell, Staff Nurse: Tygerberg Hospital

23. Dr Andrew Boulle, Public Health Specialist: Khayelitsha Clinics

24. Dr C Bouwens, Physician: Tygerberg Hospital

25. Ms Mac Briay, General support staff: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

26. Dr A C Schlemmer, Medical Officer: Michael Mapongwana Clinic

27. Dr Jonathan Carn, Neurologist: Tygerberg Hospital

28. Dr Yazied Chothia, Registrar: Tygerberg Hospital

29. Dr David Coetzee, Public Health Specialist and Director, Infectious Disease Epidemiology Unit, UCT: Nolungile Clinic

30. Sr Jean Coetzee, Professional Nurse: Tygerberg Hospital

31. Dr Marlie Conradie, Medical Registrar: Tygerberg Hospital

32. Dr J Cornell, Family Physician : Muizenberg

33. Dr Ruth Cornick, Medical Officer: Hout Bay / Imizamo Yethu

34. Dr Carol Cowburn, Medical Officer: Wesfleur, Red Cross and Gugulethu sites

35. Dr Carol Cragg, Medical Officer: G F Jooste Hospital

36. Dr Danielle Crida, Medical Officer: Gugulethu ARV Clinic

37. Dr E Dalwai, Senoir Medical Officer: Michael Mapongwana Clinic

38. Dr Marta Darder, Pharmacist, Treatment access co-ordinator: Khayelitsha Clinics

39. Ms Christie Davies, Dietitian: Masiphumelele Clinic & Tygerberg Hospital

40. Dr Astrid Dearhorn, Senior Medical Officer: Mitchells Plain CHC

Call by concerned health workers, page 3

41. Dr A deKock, Physician: Tygerberg Hospital

42. Ms U Deseuli, Care giver: Lizo Nobanda Hospice

43. Dr R Dippnaar, Paediatrician: Tygerberg Hospital

44. Dr Anton Doubell, Cardiologist: Tygerberg Hospital

45. Dr J Du Plessis, Registrar: Tygerberg Hospital

46. Dr Nontobeko Dyakopu, Medical Officer: G F Jooste Hospital

47. Dr Clair Edson, Medical Officer: Tygerberg Hospital

48. Prof. Rodney Ehrlich, Director, School of Public Health and Family Medicine: UCT

49. Dr Brian Eley, Paediatrician: Head, Infectious Diseases, Red Cross Children’s Hospital

50. Dr Tania Engel, Principal Medical Officer: Mitchells Plain CHC

51. Sr Lerisha Esterhuizen, Chief Professional Nurse: Mitchells Plain CHC

52. Dr H Finlayson, Paediatrician: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

53. Dr Estelle Floweday, Principal Medical Officer: Gugulethu ARV Clinic

54. Ms Albertina Fokoti, Administration Clerk: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

55. Ms Nelisa Funani, Mentor: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

56. Mr Sikumbuzo Ganuola, Professional Nurse: Nolungile Clinic

57. Ms Funeka Ginger, Chief Social Worker: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

58. Dr Eric Goemaere, Head of Mission, MSF: Khayelitsha Clinics

59. Dr Diane Gray, Medical Officer: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

60. Dr Nelis Grobbelaar, Principal Medical Officer: Paarl Hospital

61. Dr Cornelius Grobbelaar, Chief Medical Officer: Stellenbosch, Paarl & West Coast HIV clinics

62. Sr I Gugwini, Professional Nurse: Nolungile Clinic

63. Dr Nomfundo Gwavu, Paediatrician: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

64. Mr Eugene Hans, Senior Clerk: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

65. Dr Beth Harley, Medical Officer: Langa Clinic

66. Dr Jonelle Hasore, Medical Officer: Tygerberg Hospital

67. Dr H Hassan, Medical Officer: Tygerberg Hospital

68. Prof. Derek Hellenberg, Family Physician and Head of Family Medicine, UCT: Heideveld CHC, Vanguard CHC

69. Dr Francio Henning, Neurologist: Tygerberg Hospital

70. Dr M Heradieu, Physician: Tygerberg Hospital

71. Ms Katherine Hildebrand, Data co-ordinator: Khayelitsha Clinics

72. Sr Leo Holt, Registered Nurse: Tygerberg Hospital

73. Prof. Greg Hussey, Paediatrician and Director, IIDMM, UCT: Red Cross Hospital and Worcestor Health Services

74. Dr Ziyaad Isaacs, ARV Prinicipal Pharmacist: Mitchells Plain CHC

75. Dr Naomi Jackson, Senior Medical Officer: Site B HIV Clinic

76. Dr A Janse Van Rensburg, Paediatrician: Tygerberg Hospital

77. Sr Desray Jansen, Registered Nurse: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

78. Dr Heather Jaspan, Paediatrician: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

79. Ms F Jasper, Enrolled Nurse: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

80. Sr C Jefthas, Chief Professional Nurse: Groote Schuur Hospital

81. Dr Teresa Jennings, Medical Officer: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

82. Dr L Kaarse, Medical Officer: Michael Mapongwana Clinic

83. Dr D Kabeya, Principal Medical Officer: Nolungile Clinic

84. Dr Rafeeq Kagee, Senior Medical Officer: Gugulethu ARV Clinic

85. Dr Hassina Kajee, Senior Medical Officer: Groote Schuur Hospital

86. Dr S Kajee, Medical Officer: Groote Schuur Hospital

87. Dr Nosindiso Kalawe, Medical Officer: Gugulethu ARV Clinic

88. Dr Jean Kanyik, Medical Officer: Groote Schuur Hospital

89. Dr Richard Kaplan, Medical Officer: Gugulethu ARV Clinic

90. Dr Christopher Kenyon, Registrar: Groote Schuur Hospital

Call by concerned health workers, page 4

91. Dr N Khan, Medical Officer: Groote Schuur Hospital

92. Dr Leza Kilfou, Medical Officer: Tygerberg Hospital

93. Prof. Ralph Kirsh, Physician and Head, Department of Medicine, UCT: Groote Schuur Hospital

94. Mr Thomas Kleinhans, Administration Clerk: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

95. Dr T Kootbodien, Medical Officer: Groote Schuur Hospital

96. Dr Stephen Korsman, Registrar: Tygerberg Hospital

97. Ms Wandiswa Kosi, Nurse: Lizo Nobanda Hospice

98. Ms L Krige, Senior Auxillary Nurse: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

99. Dr Tanio Krombeth, Principal Medical Officer: Crossroads CHC

100. Sr N L Magwaca, Chief Professional Nurse and data manager: Khayelitsha HIV clinics

101. Dr David Lategan, Physician: Tygerberg Hospital

102. Ms Delia Lodewyk, Nurse: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

103. Ms Ann Loggie, Pharmacist: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

104. Ms Noluthando Loleka, Social Worker: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

105. Prof. Leslie London, Public Health Specialist: Head, Health and Human Rights, UCT

106. Dr Genevieve Lottering, Doctor: Tygerberg Hospital

107. Dr Ruan Louw, Registrar: Tygerberg Hospital

108. Dr Charlotte Louw, Senior Medical Officer: Groote Schuur Hospital

109. Prof. Gary Maartens, Physician and Head, Department of Pharmacology, UCT: Groote Schuur Hospital

110. Ms Monica Maciwayi, Adherence counsellor: Groote Schuur Hospital

111. Dr Ayanda Madide, Paediatrician: Tygerberg Hospital

112. Dr Bongenkosi Mahala, Registrar: Groote Schuur Hospital

113. Ms Mandalezi, Nurse: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

114. Sr N Mantangana, Professional Nurse and Unit Manager: Site B HIV Clinic

115. Dr L Maree, Intern: Tygerberg Hospital

116. Dr M Marias, Registrar: Tygerberg Hospital

117. Dr Shaheed Mathee, Principal Medical Officer: Site B HIV Clinic

118. Ms Noluthando Mbam, Care giver: Lizo Nobanda Hospice

119. Dr Matt McNally, Medical Officer: Gugulethu ARV Clinic

120. Ms Ncumise Mdinginya, Counsellor: Groote Schuur Hospital

121. Dr Graeme Meintjes, Physician: G F Jooste Hospital

122. Dr Eve Mendel, Medical Officer: City of Cape Town clinics

123. Ms Pumza Mgewu, Care giver: Lizo Nobanda Hospice

124. Ms Jennifer Mkalapi, Adherence Monitor: Tygerberg Hospital

125. Ms Helimamy Moeng, Pharmacist: Gugulethu ARV Clinic

126. Dr S Mthebe, Chief Medical Officer: Langa CHC

127. Dr Shalroch Nalwuma, Medical Registrar: Tygerberg Hospital

128. Dr Cathy Nash, Registrar: Tygerberg Hospital

129. Ms Lena Ndikandika, Counsellor: Groote Schuur Hospital

130. Ms Nduma, Enrolled Nurse: Lizo Nobanda Hospice

131. Dr Johan Nel, Physician: Tygerberg Hospital

132. Ms Nosipho Ngaleka, Nutrition Advisor: Nolungile Clinic

133. Ms Neliswa Nkwali, Care giver: Lizo Nobanda Hospice

134. Ms Nospiho Nogenge, Mentor: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

135. Ms Zanele Nomlana, Counsellor: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

136. Dr Peter Nourse, Paediatrician: Tygerberg Hospital

137. Ms Minky Ntelwa, HIV educator: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

138. Sr N Ntshoza, Professional Nurse: Nolungile Clinic

139. Sr Ntwana, Professional Nurse: Similela Rape Clinic, Khayelitsha

140. Dr James Nuttall, Paediatrician: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

141. Sr Koebra Orpen, Registered Nurse: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

142. Dr Catherine Orrell, Pharmacologist: Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Gugulethu and Masiphumelele Clinics

143. Sr Osbane, Registered Nurse: Hout Bay / Imizamo Yethu

144. Sr Lucy Pamment, Professional Nurse: Site B and C Youth Clinics

145. Dr M Pascoe, Physician: Groote Schuur Hospital

146. Dr David Pienaar, Medical Officer: Dunoon/Tableview clinics

147. Dr Jennifer Pitt, Senior Clinician: Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Gugulethu and Masiphumelele Clinics

148. Dr Dante Plekker, Registrar: Tygerberg Hospital

149. Dr Mary-Anne Potts, Medical Officer: Masiphumelele Clinic

150. Dr H Pozesky, Physician: Tygerberg Hospital

151. Sr Mackie Prins, Registered Nurse: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

152. Dr Helena Rabie, Paediatrician: Tygerberg Hospital and Khayelitsha Clinics

153. Dr Kevin Rebe, Physician: G F Jooste Hospital

154. Prof. Stanley Ress, Physician: Groote Schuur Hospital

155. Dr Celeste Retief-Zarrabi, Registrar: Tygerberg Hospital

156. Dr Ernie Richter, Registrar: Tygerberg Hospital

157. Dr Antonie Rod, Registrar: Tygerberg Hospital

158. Dr Paul Roux, Paediatrician: Groote Schuur Hospital

159. Sr R S Modisakeng, Professional Nurse: Gugulethu ARV Clinic

160. Dr Peter Saranchuk, Medical Officer: Nolungile Clinic

161. Ms Mlamli Saula, Adherence counsellor: Hout Bay / Imizamo Yethu

162. Dr Adrian Schmidt, Physician: Tygerberg Hospital

163. Dr E Senalwyk, Medical Officer: Tygerberg Hospital

164. Dr Linda Sigaba, Registrar: Groote Schuur Hospital

165. Mr Kurt Smith, Laboratory Assistant: Tygerberg Hospital

166. Ms Marlize Smuts, Pharmacist: Tygerberg Hospital

167. Ms Ntombinan Sokute, Counsellor: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

168. Dr Rashid Soshi, Registrar: Groote Schuur Hospital

169. Sr Sowtshana, Registered Nurse: Hout Bay / Imizamo Yethu

170. Sr B Soyiko, Professional Nurse: Nolungile Clinic

171. Dr D Stead, Medical Officer: G F Jooste Hospital

172. Dr Martinique Stilwell, Principal Medical Officer: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

173. Sr Gwendeline Summers, Enrolled Nurse: Tygerberg Hospital

174. Dr M T Ishmail, Doctor: Tygerberg Hospital

175. Dr Jantjie Taljaard, Head, Infectious Diseases Unit: Tygerberg Hospital

176. Dr Liz Thebus, Clinical Nurse Pracitioner: Hout Bay / Imizamo Yethu

177. Mr Trevor Toring, Senior Admin Clerk: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

178. Sr N Tsilana, Professional Nurse: Michael Mapongwana Clinic

179. Ms Pumla Tyulu, Adherence counsellor: Groote Schuur Hospital

180. Dr Gilles Van Cutsem, Medical Officer: Site B HIV Clinic

181. Prof. B van de Waal, Physician: Tygerberg Hospital

182. Dr Ronald Van Toorn, Paediatrician: Tygerberg Hospital

183. Ms Moschelle Van Turha, Secretary: Tygerberg Hospital

184. Dr G Van Zyl, Specialist Virologist: Tygerberg Hospital

185. Prof. P vd Merwe, Paediatrician: Tygerberg Hospital

186. Dr Anine Vermaak, Medical Officer: Tygerberg Hospital

187. Dr Thabile Veti, Medical Officer: Nolungile Clinic

188. Dr N Wearne, Registrar: Groote Schuur Hospital

189. Mr Kevin Weir, HBC Co-ordinator: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

190. Dr Brendon Wiggelinkhuisen, Principal Medical Officer: Gugulethu ARV Clinic

Call by concerned health workers, page 6

191. Dr P Wildervanck, Registrar: Tygerberg Hospital

192. Dr Richard Wilson, Registrar: Tygerberg Hospital

193. Ms Mary-anne Wolf, Pharmacist: Tygerberg Hospital

194. Prof. Robin Wood, Physician: Director, Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Gugulethu and Masiphumelele Clinics

195. Ms Nomandla Yako, Counsellor: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

196. Prof. Tuviah Zabow, Head, Ethics Committee: UCT

197. Dr Macro Zampoli, Paediatrician: Red Cross Children’s Hospital

198. Dr Dayle Zieff, Medical Officer: Groote Schuur Hospital

199. Dr R Zsolt Szilagyi, Medical Officer: Site B HIV Clinic