AIDS Medications Needed Abroad

Unused medications which otherwise would be discarded can be a lifesaver in clinics which otherwise would not have access to them. Recently we heard about three efforts to collect medicines for clinics abroad.

For Guatemala, the Guatemalan Association to Prevent and Control AIDS is seeking HIV-related medications for their two clinics in Guatemala City. Bactrim, AZT, and other drugs are needed. For more information, contact Matt Anderson, M.D., Montefiore Family Health Center, 718/933-2400 (voice mail 644), or by beeper at 917/556-5046.

For South Africa, if you have medicines to donate, leave a message with ACT UP/Golden Gate, 415/252-9200. The South African clinics do not need Bactrim, but do need many other medications.

And to find out about donating medicines for Cuba, contact Alfredo Martinez-Garcia, 407/932-4482, on weekdays. His group also needs vitamins and antibiotics. They can accept outdated medications because many companies will exchange dated medications for new ones.