Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
Last updated
This page describes general donation practice and is not medical or tax advice.
Who this is for: hospital, clinic and laboratory staff, and individuals, who hold unused medical supplies and want to know where they can go and what a receiving organization will expect. After reading you should be able to tell which donors and items a named recipient accepts, what to do before shipping anything, and which records a donor may need afterwards.
Short answer
Unused, unexpired medical supplies can be offered to organizations that redistribute medical surplus, such as MedShare, which states that it accepts “unused, unexpired medical surplus supplies and used biomedical equipment” but does not accept pharmaceuticals. Donors submit an offer form first and follow the recipient’s guidelines; they do not simply ship a box.
Definition and scope
In this guide, “medical supplies” means consumable items that are still unused, such as the surplus a hospital or manufacturer holds, as distinct from used durable equipment and from medicines. Equipment has its own rules: see donating medical equipment for reuse programs and acceptance documentation for donated equipment for the receiving clinic’s side. This page covers the donor side for supplies.
How donating works in practice
The World Health Organization’s guidance on medical device donations (2011) says outcomes “are not always positive if the donations are not properly planned and coordinated”. It calls for “an active participatory role for the intended recipients” and for treating donations “with the same rigour typically applied when purchasing medical equipment”. The guidance is written about donations to developing-country health sectors, but its principle is general: the recipient decides what is useful, and the donor plans with them.
MedShare’s published process follows that pattern. A donor reads the Supplies Guidelines and the Equipment Guidelines, completes a Donation Offer Form describing what is being donated, and may email the donations team with remaining questions. The page does not publish an expiry window or packaging rule, so confirm any such condition with the recipient directly rather than assuming one.
Where can unused medical supplies be donated?
Redistribution charities that state they take supplies include MedShare, whose policy is detailed below, and MedWish, whose donate page says it also accepts donations of medical supplies and equipment to support healthcare programs and reduce waste. MedWish’s page lists no acceptance criteria, so contact the organization before sending anything. Choose a recipient first, then prepare the offer to match its guidelines.
Who can donate what: MedShare’s stated policy
| Donor type | What MedShare’s page says it can offer |
|---|---|
| Hospitals | Quality medical equipment no longer in use, such as beds, exam tables, imaging and surgical equipment |
| Corporations | Excess inventory from product line changes, upgrades, returns and regulatory requirements |
| Individuals | Consumables (non-expired); durable medical equipment (new or gently used); biomedical devices (fully functional) |
Source: MedShare, Donate Medical Supplies, checked 2026-10-30. The same page states that MedShare does not accept pharmaceuticals.
Donor pre-offer checklist
Each line below is drawn from MedShare’s policy or the WHO guidance.
- Unused and unexpired. MedShare’s policy covers unused, unexpired supplies and non-expired consumables. The guide on deadstock and obsolete medical supply inventory notes that expired supplies cannot be donated.
- Not a pharmaceutical. MedShare does not accept pharmaceuticals.
- Offer before you ship. Read the recipient’s guidelines and complete its offer form before shipping.
- Plan with the recipient. The WHO guidance asks for the recipient’s active participation and purchase-level rigour.
Do I get a tax receipt?
Possibly, for US taxpayers, but the rules are the IRS’s, not the recipient’s. IRS Publication 526 says you can deduct contributions only if you make them to a qualified organization, and that a property deduction is generally based on the fair market value of the property at the time of the contribution. For noncash gifts of $250 to $500 you need written acknowledgment from the organization. Over $5,000, Form 8283 Section B is completed per item or group of similar items, and the receiving organization completes and signs Part V of that section. Businesses donating inventory should check the Inventory section of Publication 526 or ask a tax adviser; this page does not state those rules.
Where it matters for labs, clinics and supply decisions
For a clinic or lab clearing surplus, the useful sequence is: confirm the item is unused and unexpired, pick a recipient whose published policy accepts that donor type, submit the offer form, and keep the recipient’s written acknowledgment for tax records. Clinics on the receiving end can compare notes in the free community clinic supply checklist, and teams planning overseas work can see the medical mission trip supply checklist.
Common misunderstandings
- “Any donation helps.” The WHO guidance says outcomes are not always positive without planning and coordination.
- “Medicines can go in the same box.” MedShare does not accept pharmaceuticals.
- “Clothing donation rules apply.” The IRS good-used-condition rule in Publication 526 is for clothing and household items; it is not a standard for medical supplies.
FAQ
Can pharmaceuticals or expired supplies be donated?
Not to MedShare: it does not accept pharmaceuticals and its policy covers unexpired supplies. Check any other recipient’s own policy.
Where can I donate unused medical supplies?
To redistribution organizations such as MedShare and MedWish, after contacting them. MedShare publishes donor guidelines and an offer form.
Can an individual donate medical supplies?
MedShare’s page lists non-expired consumables, new or gently used durable medical equipment and fully functional biomedical devices for individuals.
Sources
- World Health Organization, Medical device donations: considerations for solicitation and provision, Medical device technical series, 1 June 2011. Checked 2026-10-30.
- Internal Revenue Service, Publication 526, Charitable Contributions. Checked 2026-10-30.
- MedShare, Donate Medical Supplies. Checked 2026-10-30.
- MedWish, Donate. Checked 2026-10-30.
