First-Year Experiences with the Interagency Guidelines for Drug Donations: 5. Practical benefits as a result of the Guidelines: General benefits

First-Year Experiences with the Interagency Guidelines for Drug Donations
(2000; 51 pages)

Table of Contents

	Acknowledgements
	Executive summary
	1. Introduction
		Short history of the concept of "good donation practice"
		Objective of the study
		Outline of the report
	2. Sources of information and study methodology
		General overview of the method
		Definition of respondents
		Questionnaires
		Distribution of questionnaires
		Inclusion criteria
		Sample size
		Data analysis
	3. Dissemination and uptake of the Guidelines
		The development stage: September 1994 - May 1996
		The launch: May 1996
		After May 1996: dissemination of the Guidelines
		Other publications about drug donations
		Conferences at which the Guidelines were discussed
		International organizations subscribing to the Guidelines
		Countries and national organizations that have adapted or adopted the Guidelines
		Other country studies on drug donations
	4. Basic characteristics of drug donations
		Magnitude of donations made in the past 12 months
		Cost basis of donation value
		Percentage of donations made for emergencies
		Percentage of donations based on specific requests
	5. Practical benefits as a result of the Guidelines
		General benefits
		Specific benefits for recipients
	6. Drug donations which were hampered, delayed or cancelled
	7. Experiences and opinions regarding the 12-month shelf-life requirement
		Impact of the Guidelines
		Guidelines by other organizations
		Agreement with the current provision
		Problems with the Guidelines
		Arguments for and against the 12-month shelf-life provision
		Recommendations
	8. Other suggestions to improve the Guidelines
		Recommendation
	9. How could donation practice be further improved?
		Discussing the Guidelines improves donation practice
		Give more practical advice on good donation practice
		Recommendations
	10. Summary of recommendations
	11. Postscript
	References

General benefits

In open questions put to all respondent categories, many respondents indicated various benefits they had derived from the Guidelines. The most frequently quoted benefits are summarized below.

About one-third of all respondents indicated that the Guidelines provided a beneficial framework for improved drug donation practices and procedures. Many respondents noted the link between the Guidelines and a national drug policy: the Guidelines are needed to support a national drug policy, or may lead to its development.

More than 20 respondents reported better documentation of consignments as well as improved communication between donors, consolidators and recipients. Fifteen mentioned that requests for donations are now more carefully solicited and formulated in keeping with the Guidelines.

Many respondents believe that the Guidelines are useful tools for curtailing inappropriate donations. Sixteen reported enhanced awareness and understanding of drug donation issues. Twelve felt that the Guidelines help to ensure the quality of donations.