Alberta reaches deal to donate imported children's pain medication to Ukraine

Calgary Herald

6 days ago

Alberta has reached a deal with a charitable organization to donate to Ukraine the province's surplus supply of children's pain medication it imported from Turkey two years ago in a deal that has become the subject of multiple investigations.
Article content
Montreal-based Health Partners International of Canada (HPIC) told Postmedia on Tuesday that it had struck an agreement with Alberta Health Services (AHS) to accept as many as 1.4 million bottles of acetaminophen and ibuprofen to donate to the war-torn European country.
Article content
Article content
Article content
The organization says once the donation is received, it will work with partner organizations and local government to identify where the supply is most needed.
Article content
Article content
'In essence we match what is needed to what we have available,' HIPC president Lois Brown stated in an email.
Article content
'Agreements with recipient partners include guarantees that all donated medicines will be used in accordance with applicable standard treatment guidelines.'
Article content
HIPC partner organizations typically cover the costs of transportation for donated supplies.
Article content
In April, Health Canada told Postmedia it had issued a 'no objection' letter in March to Alberta's request to donate the medication to Ukraine.
Article content
The letter requires Alberta to ensure the drugs are only sold or donated abroad for humanitarian purposes, don't violate Ukrainian laws including import approvals, and that logistics and quality oversight are overseen by a compliant drug establishment licence holder.
Article content
Article content
Turkish-base drug manufacturer Atabay had been seeking that licence though its status remains unclear.
Article content
Postmedia's queries regarding the licence as well as details on quantity, timing, and cost were directed to the office of Hospital and Surgical Health Services Minister Matt Jones.
Article content
AHS has previously said it was not part of the process of finalizing a donation agreement.
Article content
'Good quality drugs'
Article content
The medication was imported in 2023 under exceptional circumstances amid a Canada-wide shortage, and is set to expire between January and March of next year, according to internal documents previously obtained by Postmedia.
Article content
Less than a third of the planned shipment arrived, and much of the medication that did make it to Alberta went unused after the shortage ended.