E-drug: Request anecdotes on inappropriate drug donation
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Dear e-druggers --
I'm currently engaged in legal and policy research into the dynamics of that
subset of inappropriate drug donation which has been specifically encouraged
by internal U.S. tax policy -- specifically the provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code which allow pharmaceutical manufacturers to deduct *both* the
actual cost to manufacture a donated pharmaceutical agent as well as half of
the difference between cost-to-manufacture and average wholesale price,
without reference to WHO guidelines re: essential drugs or the medical/
pharmaceutical (as opposed to accounting & financial... ) needs of
the donees.
In highlighting the inappropriate and perverse incentives which this
arrangement often creates (despite, arguably, the best of intentions... ),
specific anecdotes from those of you in the developing world who have
witnessed instances of inappropriate, costly or dangerous drug donations
would help create an extremely powerful and actionable legislative agenda to
help remedy this unfortunate -- and remediable -- situation. (After all,
the tax code gets tweaked every single year -- why not for the better, for
once?)
If you would be so kind, please send me any brief descriptions of particular
situations you have witnessed which come to mind -- the more specific, the
better, within (of course) the bounds of whatever ethical requirements for
confidentiality exist in your particular situation.
Thanking you in advance, I remain,
Bryan Walser, MD, JD
(walser@bcgla.com)
[Note from moderator: We have discussed donations several times in the past.
Brian, please also search our archive which you may access on the website.
And E-druggers, if you have no new input to give, please respond to Brian
directly. Brian is also encouraged to give us a summary of responses - with
proper attention given to confidentiality requirements. Kirsten Myhr]
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