What medicines can be donated?
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.
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 | 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 |
| Oral antidiabetics | Catheters |
| Antiepileptics and antimalarials | Proctoscopes |
| 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, Sphygs (not mercury) |
| Local anaesthetics | Kidney dishes |
| Creams and ointments | Measuring cups / spoons |
| Gallipots | |
| Spatulae | |
| Gloves (especially latex) | |
| Scissors | |
| Weighing scales (lightweight only) | |
| Needles and syringes |
Items we cannot re-use
| Medicines | Surgical Items |
|---|---|
| NO Controlled / 'dangerous' drugs e.g. Dihydrocodeine, morphine etc | NO Specialised appliances |
| NO Hormonal drugs including thyroxine | 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 Liquid/powder foods supplements or baby food | NO Calipers |
| NO Cytotoxic agents or Anti-coagulants | NO Crutches |
| NO Benzodiazepines | No Colostomy items, leg and bed bags |
If in doubt, please contact us on 0116 269 5925 or email info@intercare.org.uk
