E-DRUG: Asian Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster (4)
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Dear Colleagues:
The Partnership for Quality Medical Donations appreciates and endorses WHO's advisory on drug donations for tsunami relief. It is particularly important to take WHO's suggestion that donations in the post-emergency period be in cash to charities and governments in the affected areas.
E-druggers need only recall the Mozambique floods of 2001 when MOH-approved requests were respected and filled, but afterwards, massive, unrequested and largely irrational donations came like a second flood. Most were from inexperienced NGOs, and some were from governments. The country was left with a new, problem it hardly needed: disposal of useless and potentially toxic meds.
Hopefully, that mistake will not be repeated if WHO's (Richard's) advice is taken now.
James B. Russo
Executive Director
The Partnership for Quality Medical Donations (www.pqmd.org)
146 Koenig Rd.
Bernville, PA 19506
USA
610 488 8303
610 488 7036 (fax)
484 269 6470 (mobile)
jbrusso@pqmd.org