Twelve out of 16 consolidators (75%) have experienced problems with the 12-month minimum shelf-life guideline, as compared with only 30% of donors and 27% of recipients (see Figure 3). Within the donor group 21% of the pharmaceutical industry had experienced problems with the provision. Comments mentioned the restrictive and arbitrary nature of the guideline, and rigidity in its use. Some recipient governments have given insufficient consideration to the possible exceptions, resulting in some valid donations being delayed or cancelled.

Figure 3. Percentage of respondents for whose organization the expiry date provision (Article 6) caused problems (n = 111)