What medicines can be donated?

For logistical reasons most of the medicines Inter Care recycles are in pill form

Not all medicines used in the UK are appropriate to people living in poverty in Africa, whose average life expectancy is often less than 40 years of age. Many illnesses associated with older people are rare, because most people simply don’t live long enough to get them.

Each of the health centres we support fills in a request form each year specifying which medicines it most urgently needs. In this way we ensure that we only send them medicines that are appropriate to the conditions that they treat.

All medicines should be in complete ‘strip’s (still in the manufacturer’s box), in order to comply with the WHO guidelines on drug donations.

ALL ITEMS, BOTH MEDICINES AND NON DRUGS (instruments/bandages etc) MUST HAVE AT LEAST 15 MONTHS TO EXPIRY DATE

Medicines and Surgical items that are needed

Medicines Surgical Items
Antibiotics and antibacterials Hand instruments (‘as new’)
Antifungals and antivirals Swabs, gauze, dressings, plasters
Antiretrovirals for HIV (please ask for current requirements) Theatre drapes, shoes, masks
Sulphonamides Bandages (all types)
Bronchodilators, including unused inhalers Plasters (all types)
Iron and vitamin medicines 'Butterflies'
Analgesics (excluding dihydrocodeine, morphine etc) Giving sets and Cannulae
Antacids and ulcer healing drugs Sutures (all types)
Antihypertensives and diuretics Airways / tracheostomy tubes
Antihistamines Naso-gastric tubes
Steroid tablets and creams Maternity / sanitary pads
Ear and eye drops and ointments Delivery forceps
Antidepressants and antipsychotics Neck collars / wrist braces
Nitrates and Digoxin Thermometers, stethoscopes, sphygmomanometers (not mercury)
Local anaesthetics Kidney dishes
Creams and ointments Measuring cups / spoons
Oral anti-diabetics Gallipots
Anti epileptics and anti-malarials Spatulae
  Gloves (especially latex)
  Scissors
  Weighing scales (lightweight only)
  Needles and syringes

ALSO ANY RECENT COPIES OF MIMS, BNF and BNF for Children (all within 12 months).

Items we cannot re-use

Medicines Surgical Items
NO Controlled / 'dangerous' drugs e.g. Dihydrocodeine, morphine etc NO Specialised appliances
NO Hormonal drugs NO X-ray machines / films
NO IV fluids or TB treatments NO Ward / theatre furniture
NO Items needing refrigeration e.g. Insulins and vaccines NO Artificial limbs
NO food supplements or baby food NO Calipers
NO Cytotoxic agents NO Crutches
NO Benzediazepines No Colostomy items, leg and bed bags
NO Movicol NO Mercury sphygmomanometers
  NO urinary catheters, leg and bed bags
  NO Compression Hose
  NO Blood Glucose Testing kits

If in doubt, please contact us on 0116 269 5925 or email medicines@intercare.org.uk

How medicines are collected>

Privacy Statement | Accessibility | Terms and Conditions | Copyright © 2010 Inter Care. All rights reserved

Inter Care Ltd. Registered Charity No. 1162279 England. Registered Charity No. 275637 England. Registered Office 46 The Halfcroft, Syston, Leicester LE7 1LD.
V.A.T. Registration No. 687 3846 74. Patrons: The Rt Revd. Malcolm McMahon O.P. Bishop of Nottingham, Mrs Margaret Greiff MBE and Amir Khan.

web design and hosting by mulberrysquare.co.uk