What happens during drug donations

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Copied from E Drug as fair use.Emphasis and highlighting is mine.Vijay---------------------------------------------------E-DRUG: Literature on Drug Donations (6)

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I did a study on the pharmaceuticals donated during the tsunami in 2004.

Here are the conclusions and recommendations

The expectation, the reality and the burden of drug donations: Evidence for action.

Conclusions

The great expectations of the Government of Sri Lanka were that the

country would benefit both financially and materially from the

donations. However, the results of our study shows the donations were

more a burden than of benefit to the country. The study also highlights

that although guidelines on "Good Donation Practices" (Christian

Medical Commission, WHO and some country specific guidelines) have been

in place and regularly updated on the available evidence since 1988

they have had very little impact to date on the quality of

pharmaceutical donations in times of an acute emergency. This study has

identified gaps in the process and proposed recommendations to reduce

the negative and unintended consequences of drug donations in the

future.

It is strongly recommended that the dumping practices of unwanted

unused medicines, expired drugs and radioactive products be strictly

prohibited and the all donor countries consider adapting the legal

framework in the European Union, which prohibits the collection and

export of drugs that have been issued to patients and returned to

pharmacies.

Prof Rohini pulle

Prof in Clinical Pharmacology

Faculty of Medicine

University of Colombo

PO Box 271 Kynsey Road

Colombo 8 Sri Lanka

Telephone 94 112 501217

"Rohini pulle" <rohinifernandopulle@...>

[Attachments cannot be included with e-drug messages. Professor

Rohini's report is very detailed and comprehensive - 1.2 MB. You can

contact the moderator or Professor Rohini if you would like a copy]