Recycling Drugs To Fill Prescriptions for The Uninsured
I’ve seen several articles recently about prescription drug donation/recycling programs, which I think is a great idea. True, it may be like trying to move a mountain with a spoon, but doesn’t that beat not trying at all? The articles I found didn’t mention anything about Rx donation and recycling programs here in Colorado, and I’m still searching to see if I can find a local program that could be a benefit to Colorado residents without health insurance. I did find a report of 2007 legislation pertaining to prescriptions, and it lists Colorado as one of the states that passed legislation last year to allow reuse or recycling of prescriptions. But I haven’t been able to find any working programs yet. Perhaps it’s all too new – Colorado just got on board with this last year, and it might take a while to get something up and running. If anybody knows of a working program in Colorado, please let us know and we’ll be happy to write an article about it.
I’m very curious about how the whole thing works. The donated medications can come from medical providers or individuals, but have to be unopened and sealed, and are checked by pharmacists to ensure safety. But who has unused medications sitting around? I know lots of people might have a few pain pills left over from a surgery, but they usually use at least a few pills out of the bottle first. As for medical offices and hospitals, wouldn’t they have a steady stream of need for the medications already? I think it’s a great idea to donate and recycle unused medications – I’m a big fan of donating and recycling just about everything – I’m just not sure where the supply is coming from. But it seems to be coming from somewhere – in states like WY and IA, drug recycling programs have netted hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of medications for uninsured residents who would otherwise likely have gone without their prescriptions. So far, at least 33 states have passed laws allowing for donation, recycling, and reuse or prescriptions, and these programs are still new – many are in testing and pilot stages, so the full potential is far from realized. It sure beats having the drugs just go to waste in a corner somewhere.
I wonder what the legal implications could be with a program like this?
Louise,
Have you found any prescription recycle program here in Colorado? My mother passed away recently and we have several prescriptions we’d like to donate. I’ve looked up the organizations that have been mentioned to me and they don’t seem to take prescriptions.
Cristy
Cristy,
I’m sorry that your mother passed away, and it’s very kind of you to be trying to donate her medications. I checked with the state board of pharmacy yesterday, and they said there are not yet any programs in Colorado. I spoke with a couple of hospitals, and they suggested that you check with your mother’s doctor and pharmacist, to see if maybe they can take back unopened medications – it’s worth a try. Good luck, and please let us know if you find anything.
Louise
Have there been any programs that will take unused prescriptions? I would love to donate some!
Michelle,
We haven’t found any yet. I think that there are a lot of people in your position who have drugs that they would rather see used than tossed. We will continue to check on this periodically.
i HAVE SOME DRUGS AND WERE WODERING IF I COULD DONATE THEM.
William,
We haven’t yet heard of any outlet for recycling prescriptions. If you find one, please leave a comment with the details.
I was looking into this too. I work in a rehab hospital and when someone passes away, the medication gets destroyed. How much we could be helping people! The only thing I can find is a donation center for medications for people with needs is in Cheyenne, WY.