South Africa says downpayments to J&J, Pfizer not refundable

Its health minister says the country has to navigate difficult and occasionally unreasonable demans from drugmakers.

The South African government's downpayments to Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and Pfizer for Covid-19 vaccines are not refundable under any circumstances, its health minister said on Wednesday, describing the condition as onerous.

Zweli Mkhize made the comments a day after the government suspended the rollout of J&J's vaccine, citing a recommendation...