I couldn't find the old thread on this topic, so I'll start a new one...
I'm involved with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre...basically my function is to get doctors and clinics all over Melbourne to donate medicine samples and "slightly-out-of-date" stock, which is then used to provide medical care to refugees and people on temporary protection visas - those who have no work permits and no access to Medicare. I drive around to various clinics to pick up the stuff, which my staff nurse and I then sort and package and send to the centre.
Read all about it here - click on "Health" on the left side of the page.
In the (almost) 1 year I have been doing this, I have undergone a transformation from "the doctor who NEVER sees drug reps"... to the one who goes to all the drug company functions and schmoooozes with all the reps, and fills in all the little cards that say "please send free samples."

Well, today something unexpected happened...a drug rep from a big pharmaceutical company (won't say which one) called in and left 13 boxes of stuff for the refugees!! Everything from ulcer tablets to anti-fungal creams, contraceptives, antidepressants, allergy nasal sprays, you name it. It's far too HUGE to post and I think it will be cheaper to drive all the way to West Melbourne and deliver it myself!!!

Thank you to all who have kept me in their prayers, please continue to do so!

(I guess the big bad drug companies are not 100% evil after all!!

)
aldona
_________________________
www.asrc.org.au (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Melbourne)
Helping over 2000 refugees & asylum seekers each month
“Man’s mind stretched to a new idea never goes back to its original dimensions.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes