<lpbbihbpmjnimfndednomecfcfaa.scott.hillstrom@analyticorp.co.nz>
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E-drug: What Motivates Drug Donations? (cont'd)
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Mr. Russo,
Thank you for your thoughtful reply to my report and
recommendations on the subject of the 'Iron Triangle' between the
U.S pharmaceutical industry, U.S. tax-exempt organizations
forwarding donations, and recipients in the developing world.
First, I would like to say that I am pleased to stand corrected if I have
erred. I am an American businessman and lawyer working actively in
Africa to save kids lives with essential drugs and have become familiar
with the issues as an outsider looking in. And, while I have been
informed over the past three years by leaders in the essential drugs
movement and insiders at U.S. charities, I realize that I cannot be as
informed as you and your colleagues are. So I apologize in advance for
any errors I have made and invite you to set me straight.
Second, in my report, I meant to detail what I have learned and not
simply to make empty allegations as you seem to say. In the report I
said, "U.S. pharmaceutical companies are incented to donate drugs.
Indeed, this is the intention of Congress in allowing the deduction. But
sometimes the incentives produce perverse, unintended consequences
leading to needless suffering and even death in the developing world."
I support the Congressional policy that grants extraordinary
deductions to incent the industry to give and I applaud the large
amount of generous and constructive gifts that are made. But it is also
true that a large amount of inappropriate 'gifts' are made and
sometimes these do harm--they can even kill. Indeed, that is why
WHO has promulgated guidelines. Let's focus on the problem that we
all know exists and talk about what needs to be done to fix it--that's
the real issue here.
Third, we need not debate generalities. Let's get the facts on the table
before the public. The Internal Revenue Code and the Guidelines have
been around for a long time. You seem entirely certain (so confident,
in fact, that you totally repudiate everything I have said in my report)
that the industry has clean hands and that there are no grounds for
the claims I have made. Fine. Then let's assume you are prepared to
present the facts to substantiate that position. Considering that these
are issues of public and taxpayer interest one assumes PQMD is
willing, if not eager, to tell the public and taxpayers the true story of
the good job that it has done and is doing. Impressions to the contrary
can be easily cleared up for the benefit of all by PQMD's provision of
the facts.
So I put to you one simple question and request and equally direct and
simple reply:
WILL YOUR MEMBERS DISCLOSE THEIR DRUG DONATION
AND TAX RECORDS?
Let's get the facts on the table so that the public can appreciate the
many good things that the industry has done and is doing and so that
people around the world acting in the public interest can cooperate
with industry to continue improving the quality of drug donations.
Finally, I would like to stress that the U.S. pharmaceutical industry
makes a crucial contribution to the health care needs of the
developing world by the appropriate contributions that it makes. Many
lives have been saved and much suffering has been relieved thanks to
the generous donations of the industry. So it is with a grateful heart
and constructive purpose that I put these questions to the PQMD. I
look forward to your reply and an engaging dialogue among
E-Druggers who are following this important issue.
Cordially,
Scott Hillstrom
President, Cry for the World Foundation
e-mail: scott.hillstrom@analyticorp.co.nz
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