Healthy Skepticism Library item: 19907

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Rovner J
Substandard Bosnia drug donations challenged in US Congress
The Lancet 1998 Jan 24; 351:275
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2805%2978253-2/fulltext

Abstract:

Two members of the US Congress are asking the Internal Revenue Service to investigate whether pharmaceutical companies should be able to claim tax deductions for “humanitarian” donations to wartorn Bosnia and Herzegovina of medications that turned out to be useless.
A study in the Dec 18, 1997, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine found that 50—60% of the estimated 27 800—34 800 tonnes of drugs and medical materials donated to Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1992 and 1996 were inappropriate …