Alberta Health Services (AHS) has initiated discussions with Health Partners International of Canada (HPIC) to donate 1.4 million bottles of acetaminophen and ibuprofen to Ukraine. These medications, imported from Turkey under a $70-million agreement announced by Premier Danielle Smith in late 2022, are currently deemed surplus by the province. HPIC, a federally licensed charity specializing in handling donated medicine, has been approached to facilitate this humanitarian effort.
The surplus medication, stored on 512 pallets, is intended to provide relief to Ukrainians amidst the ongoing conflict. The drugs, which have expiration dates spanning from January to March 2026, represent a significant opportunity to aid a nation in need. Alberta estimates that the cost of shipping these medications by sea will be approximately $275,000, with an expected transit time of six to eight weeks.
Lois Brown, president of HPIC, confirmed that AHS approached the charity within the last month to discuss the potential donation. HPIC has previously delivered $30-million worth of medicine to Ukraine over the past three years and sees this as a continuation of its efforts to support the country.
"They have children who have fevers and don’t have medications, and we have agreements with Ukraine to help them," said Premier Danielle Smith, emphasizing the importance of the donation.
Currently, HPIC and AHS do not have a formal agreement in place for this donation. However, if the deal proceeds, Alberta may need to contribute financially to ensure its success. The original importation approval from Health Canada stipulates that any sale or use of these products outside Alberta requires HPIC's consent, a factor that underscores HPIC's potential role in this transaction.
Adriana LaGrange highlighted the benefits of donating the unused medication.
"They have no value to AHS, and donating them will have no negative impact on AHS’ financial statements," LaGrange noted.
"Donating them will result in a reduction of required warehouse storage space, which may result in savings for AHS," she added.
While HPIC typically does not involve itself when health products are donated, the unique terms of the importation approval necessitate its involvement in this particular case. The charity's expertise and federal license make it an ideal partner for ensuring that the donation process complies with all legal and logistical requirements.
The province remains committed to seeing this donation through as part of its broader humanitarian efforts. The potential contribution aligns with Alberta's history of supporting global health initiatives, particularly in regions experiencing crises. This initiative not only addresses immediate medical needs but also reinforces international relations through humanitarian aid.
