GUARD Green Initiative to Divert Surplus Medical Supplies from Landfill

For Immediate Release March 21, 2020

Contact: Marc-Antoine de La Vega, Scientific Director or Mary McCown, Communications Director

GUARD Green Initiative to Divert Surplus Medical Supplies from Landfill

Trois-Rivières, March 21, 2020: The non-profit organization, GUARD (Global Urgent Advanced Research and Development), has launched its Pilot Project: GUARD Green Initiative to initially divert more than ½ ton of surplus medical supplies and distribute them to countries in need; a symbiotic relationship between medical research and environmentalism.

Marc-Antoine de La Vega, GUARD’s Scientific Director, has worked in several African countries during outbreaks such as those caused by the deadly Ebola virus. He knows first-hand how critical these medical supplies are to these countries. “Because of protocol specifics, these perfectly good reagents and materials would go to waste.” he explains. “We saw this as an opportunity to give them (the materials) a second life.”

“The supplies we’re collecting are made for clinical trials; one kit per visit per patient. Several factors influence the fate of each kit.  For example, if an enrolled patient does not show up for their visit, the kit can’t be used. It’s very specific to the clinical trial protocols; one box can be used only for that one patient schedule for that visit. Without the GUARD Green Initiative, there is nothing else to do other than discard them.” says de La Vega.

The surplus supplies are being gathered and will be sent out based on need. Reappropriating these crucial medical supplies is not without logistical challenges. Each medical supply kit will be deconstructed, confidential patient information will be removed, the supplies will then be organized and sent as needed. GUARD will use its own staff to collect medical supplies in Quebec but will rely heavily on donations to continue this innovative project.

“Every dollar donated will help bring some of these lifesaving supplies to where they are most needed in low resource environments in Africa and beyond” says Dr. Gary Kobinger, founder and CEO of GUARD.

For more information or to donate to this cause, please visit guardrx.org.

Mary McCown

GUARD

Director of Communications

marym@guardrx.org

581-980-2829