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There are many types of drug donation. Some are a rapid response to an acute emergency or form a component of development aid. Others represent the philanthropic aims of large corporations. Yet others are small and targeted for use by individual health facilities. But all too often, drug donations are inappropriate and cause disposal problems for their recipients.

By describing “good donation practice”, these guidelines aim to improve the quality of drug donations. As a basis for national or institutional guidelines, they can be adapted and implemented by governments and organizations dealing with this type of assistance.

First issued in 1996, the guidelines have since been revised, following an extensive review of experiences with their use. This second edition begins with a discussion of the need for guidelines and goes on to present four core principles and 12 guidelines for drug donations, covering such issues as selection of drugs, quality assurance, and presentation and packaging. Exceptions to the general guidelines are also given, to take account of specific drug donation situations.

The guidelines conclude with suggestions on other ways in which donors can provide assistance, and advice on how recipients can implement a drug donations policy.

This is an intergagency consensus document published by the WHO Department of Essential Drugs and Other Medicines on behalf of the organizations listed.