Funding of Government-led drug programme by charity causes concern

THE funding of a Government-led drug programme by a charity operating in developing countries raises serious questions about future drug funding, a leading voluntary drug service has said.

Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) said the €750,000 donated to the Government by the Elton John Aids Foundation to establish needle exchange services across the country was a serious development.

“It’s a departure in government policy in that the Government has announced the Elton John Aids Foundation — which is an international charity that normally funds services in Third World countries, such as Aids prevention in sub-saharan Africa — is funding the roll-out of pharmacy-based needle exchanges around the country,” said MQI chief executive Tony Geoghegan.