With the value of redundant medication estimated at LE1 billion annually, a pharmacist launched a campaign encouraging Egyptians to donate medicines that surpass their needs.
Dr. Waleed Shawqy, founder of the “Medicine for All Foundation", says his campaign offers redundant medications to families that cannot afford expensive drugs, especially considering that many consumers purchase drugs that exceed their actual needs, leaving those medicines to expire.
Shawqy said the campaign, which started with a target of 20 patients several years ago, is now catering to 400 patients annually.
The campaign has also attracted 200 youths, according to Shawqy. “The initiative began with social efforts by a group of young volunteers who collected redundant drugs, took stock of them and gave them out to low-income families.”
Boehringer Ingelheim, a top global pharmaceutics firm, has honored the initiative's organizers, providing assistance with storage and the creation of a database.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
