E-drug: What Motivates Drug Donations? (cont'd)
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I regret that I appear to have suggested earlier that recipients of
inappropriate drug donations, i.e., the patients or clinics, have the
burden of reporting adverse drug donations. That would be entirely
unreasonable and was not my intent.
I was trying to say that those who have information about bad
donations (e.g., Mr. Hillstrom) should report it to organizations that
can take action, e.g., WHO, WEMOS, PQMD. Statistical statements to
the effect that X% of donations are bad may be valid, but they're not
terribly helpful in placing responsibility.
Surely it isn't unreasonable to ask those who make broad-spectrum
charges against a whole class of people (the drug donations
community in this case) to provide enough information to make an
investigation possible. It's like the old saying that half the patients
would get well without any treatment at all, to which one has to say
yes, but which ones?
Meanwhile, I support the suggestion of Dr. Joel Lexchin that we
institute a spot-checking system. Teams from PQMD, WEMOS, WHO,
etc., would make periodic visits to recipient clinics and report their
findings -- naming the questionable products and their sources in
sufficient detail to make it possible to follow up and prevent
recurrences.
I hope my intent is now more clear.
Cordially,
James B. Russo
Executive Director
The Partnership for Quality Medical Donations
146 Koenig Road
Bernville, PA 19506
USA
610 488 8303
610 488 7036 (fax)
e-mail: JBRusso@aol.com
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