E-drug: Re: Study on tax subsidies for donations of expiring drugs
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Dear colleagues:
Reading the message from Scott D. Hillstrom, and agreeing about
the interests behind some noble causes, the expired drugs situation
reminded me something that had happened to Brazil and is
happening to other countries of the third world: Used tires of the
richest are being sent to the poorest countries.
Yes, to clean up their dumpsters from the most problematic product
of the human activities, they encourage the donation of trash that
was not supposed to be used anymore, even by the poor people of
their own countries.
Why they are not used anymore in their original country? Because
they are unsafe! Why they are not recycled? Because it is expensive
to be done!
Do you realize it is very similar to the expired drugs case? Why the
poor ones have to use what is not safe, good or reliable?
I have an idea. If US's, UK's, or any other rich countries' taxpayers
are so concerned on sponsoring noble programs such the donation
of drugs, why don't they simply donate credits to poor countries
and let them decide what they need and what they want?
I am not telling to give cash to those poor exploited countries, but
credits that could be converted in money to pay the companies that
produce relevant drugs or health equipments, so we would not take
the risk that the money would be used to other purposes.
If the companies are not concerned on get rid of their waste, they
obviously will not oppose this plan, even more because they will
sell their products, in instead of donating them. For poor countries it
would be nice to be able to buy drugs for their real needs, and for
the taxpayers, it would be the same, to transfer part of the taxes to
the local pharmaceutical companies.
Best regards,
Americo Focesi Pelicioni
Brazilian Pharmacist
e-mail: americofp@uol.com.br
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