title: Improvements for international medicine donations: a review of the World Health Organization Guidelines for Medicine Donations, 3rd edition.
abstract: Some humanitarian and development organizations respond to major natural disasters and emergencies by donating medicines. Many provide medicines on a routine basis to support health systems, particularly those run by Faith-Based Organizations. Although such donations can provide essential medicines to populations in great need, inappropriate donations also take place, with burdensome consequences. The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed the interagency Guidelines for Medicine Donations for use by donors and recipients in the context of emergency aid and international development assistance. Although comprehensive in nature and transferable to various emergency situations, adjustments to both content and formatting would improve this resource. Recommendations for the next version of these guidelines include: specific wording and consistent formatting; definition of who is a recipient, clear distinction between acute and long-term emergencies, and proper donation procedures pertaining to each; inclusion of visual aides such as flowcharts, checklists, and photos; and improving the citations system.
authors.affiliation: MPH Health Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA.
authors.forename: Nuria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cañigueral-Vila
authors.affiliation: MPH Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: MPH in Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA.
authors.forename: Lindsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Frenkel-Rorden
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laing
keywords: Emergency; International development assistance; Medicine donations; Medicine donor; Medicine recipient; World Health Organization