E-DRUG: IDA Foundation on the Dutch customs seizure of medicines
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Dear E-druggers,
We want to keep you informed about the steps IDA Foundation is taking in
the case of generic drug seizures by Dutch customs.
As long as no structural solution has been announced by either European
or Dutch authorities, we ask all stakeholders to exercise their influence to bring the subject to the attention of relevant bodies.
On Dutch national level, IDA has expressed its concerns in letters to the Dutch ministers in charge of the matter on March 13 the 2009. Our job is not made easy since not less then 5 different ministries are directly involved.
At EC level we have sent letters to European Commissioners Mr. Kovacs (DG taxation and customs) and Mrs. Ashton (DG trade) on April 3rd. A copy of the content is joined below.
We have also been in touch with the major European airlines and WHO.
With kind regards,
Edwin de Voogd
Managing Director
IDA Foundation
Tel +31 20 4033051
Fax +31 20 4031854
edevoogd@idafoundation.org
www.idafoundation.org
Text of letters to European commissioners:
"Quote:
Re: Lozartan seizure by Dutch customs
Dear Commissioner,
On behalf of IDA Foundation, worlds' largest non-for-profit wholesaler
and distributor of essential medicines and medical supplies, we share
the concerns expressed by amongst others MSF and WHO about seizures of
medicines by Dutch customs in earlier correspondences with you.
Obviously, as a result of conflicting legislation, essential and life
extending supply chains are "at random" interrupted. We execute very
large programs in the fields of HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria in developing
countries covering > 500.000 patients annually. Especially in the field of
HIV/AIDS and 2nd line TB, even a short interruption of the medical
treatment by a couple of weeks is killing. The people under treatment
cannot fall back on alternatives or safety stocks. There is most often
no money for safety stocks nor local manufacturing. You can imagine we
are very much worried to observe these seizures since these may re-occur
in any EC member state at any moment till a clear and uniform standpoint
and legislation is announced and implemented.
The case has been brought under your and Dutch authorities' attention
for several months now. Despite the life threatening effects that the
interceptions may have, so far, no concrete proposition to solve this
issue has been issued, nor by you, nor by the Dutch ministry of finance
under which the Dutch customs fall. There is no apparent sense of
urgency at commission level to solve this basic human right issue, or at
least it has not been displayed so far.
Without clear guidance from the authorities in this matter, we see
ourselves forced to seek alternative transportation routes to eliminate
the hazards of having our medical treatments interrupted by zealous
customs authorities.
Can you inform us (and other parties executing essential health care
programs in developing countries using transit hubs in Europe) what
action you will or have taken to solve this matter and what we should do
to avoid at random seizures?
Your urgent action would be highly appreciated.
Yours sincerely,
Edwin de Voogd
Managing director IDA Foundation
"Unquote"