Do I have to be a doctor to request a medical donation?
In order to request prescription medicines, you must have and provide a copy of a current U.S. license to prescribe medicine. If you do not have a license to prescribe, you may request non-prescription products. < back to top
Can I submit an application for someone else?
To request prescription medicines, all pages need to be completed and signed by someone who both has a U.S. license to prescribe the requested medicines and who is going on the trip. Forms signed by third parties will not be accepted. < back to top
Do I need a 501(c)(3) to request a medical donation?
No, but if your group has a 501(c)(3) designation, please provide us with a copy of the IRS letter, if available. < back to top
How do I obtain an application?
You can download the application here. (Adobe Acrobat required). < back to top
Do I have to be traveling to the destination country myself?
Yes, you must be personally traveling to the destination country to oversee the use of the donated products. < back to top
Can I request a medical donation for use in the United States?
No, with rare exceptions, all products must leave the United States and be used outside the United States. < back to top
Are there restrictions on how the products may be used?
All product donations must be distributed free of charge to each and every recipient and must be used exclusively for the care of the ill, needy or infants. Products may not be re-exported (either back to the United States or to another country) or transferred in exchange for money, other property or services. < back to top
Can my faith-based group receive a donation?
Yes, as long as our products are not used to advance any religious or political agendas. AmeriCares, and our corporate and financial donors, provide support for all people around the world, irrespective of race, religion or political belief. We realize that many groups making pro-bono medical trips are faith based, but please note that products donated by AmeriCares are to be used for medical purposes only. Access to health care involving the use of our products cannot in any way be affected by or conditioned upon the articulation of any religious or political belief, the submission to religious or political counseling or the attendance at any religious or political activity. < back to top
How many donations can my group or I request?
Requests are limited to one donation per trip, regardless of the number of participants, and two donations per calendar year for each individual or group. < back to top
What kinds of products do you donate?
We rely wholly on donations from major pharmaceutical companies for the products we provide. As a result, our inventory varies and changes rapidly. We receive a variety of products, ranging from antibiotics and high blood pressure medications to analgesics, vitamins and formula, but there is no guarantee that we will have a particular product on hand when you make your request. < back to top
What are the expiration dates on the medicines you donate?
Typical expiration dating for our products is 3-6 months out, although we occasionally have longer-dated products. Products requested and donated for use on your trip must have expiration dating beyond the dates of your trip. < back to top
Can I choose my own products?
Yes, you make your choices from the available inventory. Although you can only submit one inventory request form, you may ask for as many lists as you like and may opt to wait until 2-3 weeks before you need to have the products in hand to submit your request. < back to top
What should I consider when choosing products?
Be sure that the expiration date for the product is beyond the dates of your trip and is in accordance with the customs regulations of your destination country. Please also give careful consideration to extenuating factors such as whether there will be an on-going supply of products for chronic ailments, the availability of follow-up care and the degree of antibiotic resistance in the area to which you are traveling. < back to top
How many products can I request per donation?
Amounts will vary based on available inventory, but a typical donation is 8 to 12 products. Since some products might have a case limit of more than one, a donation can exceed 8 to 12 cases. On the Inventory Approval Sheet you are asked to indicate all products that you can use and asterisk (*) those that are most important to you. If we are out of a product you want, we can then substitute with another one of your choices. If we have excess product and we know you can use it, we have the option to give you an extra case or two. We will only send products that you have indicated you can use, so the more choices you give us, the better. < back to top
Can I request less than a case of a product?
No, we only donate by the case, as it comes to us from the donor pharmaceutical company. < back to top
How do I request a current inventory?
Before requesting an inventory list, please download and read the application carefully. To request a copy of the current inventory, contact Cia Marion at cmarion@americares.org or 203-658-9528. When you receive the inventory, read it carefully, complete it and sign it, then return the completed inventory with your application. < back to top
What is the value of a typical medical donation?
Although value will vary widely based on the items requested, the average donation during the past year had a wholesale value of around $25,000. Requests limited to non-prescription items typically are of lower value. < back to top
Is there a charge for a medical donation?
No, our donations are free, including shipping. However, the demand for products has increased to the point that for a typical prescription-product donation, we are now asking for a suggested contribution of $200 or more per trip to help offset some of the costs of providing this service. We currently request a donation rather than charge a fee so as not to eliminate individuals or groups that truly cannot afford to pay. However, as a nonprofit organization, we rely totally on contributions in order to provide this service, so we both need and appreciate your support. All gifts are tax deductible. Details on making a donation are on in the application. < back to top
How long does it take to receive a medical donation?
We prefer that you contact us approximately three weeks before you need to have the products in hand. We will consider requests with less notice but reserve the right to refuse them if we deem there is not enough staff time and shipping time to complete them. Once we have received all of your completed paperwork, please allow about seven days for your donation to arrive. < back to top
Can I request a rush order?
We normally ship by 3-day ground courier (FedEx, DHL or UPS), although shipments can take longer to arrive west of the Mississippi, and up to seven days for the West Coast. There is no charge for regular shipping. Our staff time permitting, we will ship overnight if you provide us with a credit card number to bill you for the rush shipping. < back to top
Can you ship my medical donation to my destination country?
No, we only ship within the United States. You are responsible for getting the products to the destination country. < back to top
Can I ship my medical donation to my destination country?
Changes in airline regulations have made it more difficult to carry certain products as part of your luggage, and we realize that it is sometimes necessary to ship supplies in advance of your trip. However, if you are shipping your products, you must still be personally traveling to the destination country to oversee their use. We do not make donations to be shipped to third parties overseas. < back to top
How do I clear customs?
It is your responsibility to know the current customs and airline regulations for your destination country. Some countries have product-dating restrictions or may require prior approval of the medicines you intend to bring. We will provide you with a Shipping Manifest and a Confirmation of Shipment form listing the products received and stating that they have been donated for charitable use only. < back to top
Can I return a donation after it has been sent?
We cannot take back products that have left our warehouse and been accepted by you. The only exception is if you refuse delivery from Fed Ex, DHL or UPS before taking possession of the shipment and notify us immediately that you have done so. The courier will automatically return the shipment to us. < back to top
What can I do with products not used up on the trip?
Products may not be re-exported, either back to the United States or to another country. Products not used up on the trip may be donated to an appropriate medical facility in the destination country to be distributed free of charge for the care of the ill, needy or infants. < back to top
Do I need to have a destination country follow-up care provider?
We realize that in some places, there is no follow-up care, in which case you can write in “N/A” or leave those spaces blank on the application. However, if you are working with a local hospital, clinic or health care practitioner and have the contact information, please provide it. < back to top
Does AmeriCares require follow-up information on my donation and trip?
Yes. A Confirmation of Shipment form and Required Donation Follow-up Report will be sent to you when the shipping order is submitted. The Confirmation of Shipment form must be signed and returned immediately upon receipt of the shipment.
The Required Donation Follow-up Report must be submitted within a month of your return from your trip. Failure to submit the required Confirmation of Shipment form and follow-up report will jeopardize future participation in this program. < back to top
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