Understanding the role of donated medicines and medical supplies in disaster relief efforts vis-à-vis Global Health Partnerships

Across the public and social sciences today there is much talk of the role of donated medicines and medical supplies in disaster relief efforts. Pharmaceutical manufacturers in partnership with nonprofit/nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), sometimes called global health partnerships, often donate medicines and medical supplies in response to large-scale disasters and humanitarian crises. While donated medicines provide a bridge to assist communities through catastrophic circumstances that otherwise wipe out long-term sustainable programs, the lack of systematic consideration of medical/health product donations in such situations is warranted. The research intends to examine global health partnerships involved in emergency response and intends to identify and understand key strategies, barriers and benefits confronting delivering donated health products both domestically and abroad looking specifically at responses to the Asian tsunami (2004), Hurricane Katrina (2005) and Haiti (2010). Findings from this qualitative study should assist NGOs, funders, public and private stakeholders, and the global community in developing models of dialogue and cooperation to better respond in disasters and advocate for policies that will build capacity in communities. Publication of the report's findings may contribute to other facets of material aid delivery beyond the distribution of medical products and supplies. This report will address the complexities of collaboration, coordination, communication, deployment of resources, and allocation of responsibility in both domestic and international arenas of disaster relief. As such, it may serve as a tool for long-term strategic dialogue among the global pharmaceutical donors and the recipient community.