Sharing the Wealth of our Medical Waste

the problem:

     Third world countries often lack even basic medical supplies.  Robert Calderisi, a former World Bank official, recounts one instance he saw an African women sown up with electrical wire.  The United States, on the other hand, has strict rules that require the disposal of even unused instruments in an opened surgical kit.  This leads to a large amount of waste.  Just as recently expired food is accepted at the food bank , recently expired medication would be put to good use in impoverished countries.     This recycling program is made even more feasible by the fact that the US has a large trade deficit.  Many empty ships leave the Port of Wilmington, the east coast’s busiest port, and travel to the third world countries where they hire their workers.       Similar plans have been created with a small hospital in Rochester, New York or programs that deal exclusively with HIV/AIDs medication.  Right now the only thing between making this dream a reality, the only thing keeping thousands of pounds of substandard medical products destined for the garbage pit instead of those in need, is a lot of red tape.

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