Facts about packaging and labelling

All medicines should be labelled in a language that is easily understood by health professionals in the recipient country. The label on each container should contain at least the International Nonproprietary Name (INN) or generic name, batch number, dosage form, strength, name of manufacturer, country of manufacture, quantity in the container, storage conditions and expiry date.

Facts about the selection of medicines

All medicine donations should be based on an expressed need, should be relevant to the disease pattern in the recipient country, and quantities should be agreed between donor and recipient.

Facts about the need for guidelines

Medicines are an essential element in alleviating suffering. Thus, international development and relief efforts can benefit from appropriate donations. Medicine donations may take various forms, ranging from long‐term donations of a single medicine for defined disease conditions to emergency donations of large varieties of medicines for general health‐care delivery.