Quality health care, supported by a vast array of medical technology, is not available to everyone. WHO Director General Dr. Margaret Chan identified in her closing remarks to the 60th World Health Assembly the need for better access to diseases that disproportionately affect the poor. Through the work of Direct Relief, manufacturers, distributors, and medical facilities are donating to health institutions serving the poor and the victims of disaster worldwide to address this problem.
Since 1948, Direct Relief International has linked over-abundant medical resources in the U.S. with unmet needs of charitable health facilities worldwide. In FY 2007, over 100 manufacturers, distributors, and many healthcare facilities contributed pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and equipment worth over $200 million to support these unmet needs.
How does the Product Donations Program Work:
- All contributions are acknowledged for tax purposes.
- Incoming contributions are received and housed at Direct Relief International’s processing center in Santa Barbara. Pharmaceuticals are stored in a secure area licensed by the California State Board of Pharmacy and the Food and Drug Administration. We have a licensed Pharmacist on staff.
- Medical contributions are matched with specific needs of charitable health facilities and programs worldwide. Our physician on staff evaluates these specific needs and discerns the appropriate medicines for their given situation. Each request for assistance is evaluated by Direct Relief on the basis of the facility’s service to the poor and their ability to effectively use donated goods.
- Direct Relief International is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit and provides contributors with documentation for tax purposes. Direct Relief maintains records on the destination and usage of all donated items.
- Impact Reports are submitted to manufacturers, which identify the worldwide programs the donations are supporting.
- To make a contribution please contact the Corporate and Foundation Relations staff at Direct Relief International to discuss procedures for making contributions.
- We apologize, but Direct Relief is not licensed to accept medications from individual patients.
For more information or questions regarding the appropriateness of a donation, please contact Direct Relief at (805) 964-4767 or email arandopoulos@directrelief.org.