Contracts show Pfizer, J&J and others bullied SA in Covid talks, says health group

Health advocates have accused pharmaceutical companies like Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and Pfizer of strong-arming South Africa into signing "one-sided" contracts to receive scarce Covid-19 vaccines in 2021. 

The contracts were made public for the first time this week following a groundbreaking court case.  

They cover deals between South Africa and J&J, Pfizer, the Serum Institute of India (SII) and Covax - a global vaccine-sharing initiative. SA spent roughly R14 billion on Covid-19 vaccines.