E-DRUG: Asian Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster (4)
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Dear Colleagues:
The Partnership for Quality Medical Donations appreciates and endorses WHO's
advisory on drug donations for tsunami relief. It is particularly important
to take WHO's suggestion that donations in the post-emergency period be in cash
to charities and governments in the affected areas.
E-druggers need only recall the Mozambique floods of 2001 when MOH-approved
requests were respected and filled, but afterwards, massive, unrequested and
largely irrational donations came like a second flood. Most were from
inexperienced NGOs, and some were from governments. The country was left with
a new, problem it hardly needed: disposal of useless and potentially toxic
meds.
Hopefully, that mistake will not be repeated if WHO's (Richard's) advice is
taken now.
James B. Russo
Executive Director
The Partnership for Quality Medical Donations (www.pqmd.org)
146 Koenig Rd.
Bernville, PA 19506
USA
610 488 8303
610 488 7036 (fax)
484 269 6470 (mobile)
jbrusso@pqmd.org
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