# E-DRUG: Request anecdotes on inappropriate drug donation **URL:** \ **Category:** e-drug\ **Created:** [February 18, 1999, 11:06am UTC](https://talk.edrugplus.org/t/e-drug-request-anecdotes-on-inappropriate-drug-donation/4464 "1999-02-18T11:06:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Walser\_Bryan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/73ab20/32.png) [@Walser\_Bryan](https://talk.edrugplus.org/u/Walser_Bryan)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 1999, 11:06am UTC](https://talk.edrugplus.org/t/e-drug-request-anecdotes-on-inappropriate-drug-donation/4464/1 "1999-02-18T11:06:12Z")
E-drug: Request anecdotes on inappropriate drug donation ---------------------------------------------------------- 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] -- Send mail for the `E-Drug' conference to `e-drug@usa.healthnet.org'. Mail administrative requests to `majordomo@usa.healthnet.org'. For additional assistance, send mail to: `owner-e-drug@usa.healthnet.org'.