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South Africa Advocacy Groups Push to Reopen Vertex Antitrust Probe

By  |  August 10, 2025

Patient advocacy organizations in South Africa are calling on the government to reopen an antitrust investigation into Vertex Pharmaceuticals, citing concerns that the company may have misled regulators into shutting down a prominent case over access to a cystic fibrosis treatment.

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    According to a statement from the groups, the push comes after the Competition Commission’s decision in December to close the matter, concluding that Vertex had provided adequate access to its medicine. The original complaint, filed by a patient, accused the pharmaceutical company of violating the South African Constitution by restricting access to the therapy.

    The petition at the time also pointed to alleged human rights violations, including the right to health, and claimed that Vertex had taken advantage of its patent rights in a way that hindered treatment availability. Per statement from the advocacy coalition, such conduct may severely limit patients’ ability to obtain life-saving medication in the country.

    The groups are now urging authorities to reassess whether the company’s practices align with South Africa’s competition laws. They stress the need for stronger safeguards to ensure essential medicines are both affordable and accessible to those in need.

    Source: Geneoline