States Recycle Drugs To Help Poor People

[OhioChick]

Source: AP

Programs Take Sealed, Unused Medications
POSTED: 2:32 pm EDT April 7, 2008


NEW YORK -- The struggle to keep soaring medical costs in check is feeding an increase in state programs that collect unused prescription drugs to give away to the uninsured and poor.

Some states allow donations of sealed drugs from individuals, while others only accept pharmaceuticals from institutions, such as doctor's offices or assisted-living homes. Drugs are typically vetted by pharmacists to cross-check safety, then distributed by hospitals, pharmacies or charitable clinics.

The type of drugs donated run the gamut and include antibiotics, antipsychotics, blood thinners and antidepressants.

At least 33 states have laws to allow or study drug recycling programs, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Most state programs are just a few years old or still in the test stages, but officials envision huge gains.

Read more: http://www.newsnet5.com/health/15815475/detail.html

[Earth_First]

1. Why does this strike me as unsafe?

Perhaps since individuals who are paying TOP dollar for health insurance are receiving incorrect prescription drugs.

I'm SURE that the oversight is also receiving TOP dollar funding to ensure that this program is not misused illegally or otherwise... :eyes:

[napi21]

3. I guess there is SOME risk of contamination, but if they are checked

for stability, I would think the risk is quite small. It does make sense to me to do this. If you think about it, almost all meds come from a pharmacy and prescribed to many different patients. With the cost of a single bottle sometimes exceeding several hundred dollars, it does seem foolish to destroy them when needy people would benefit so much.

[OhioChick]

4. While I agree...

How about Big Pharma stepping up to the plate and helping the poor? They're reeling in Billions.

Oh I almost forgot....There's that little thing called "greed."

[napi21]

5. Actually most of the Big Pharma Cos DO step up. The only

problem is the patient has to bear destitute to qualify, but all the ones I'm aware of have programs where they donate the meds.

[OhioChick]

6. So, technically speaking...

One has to live under a bridge to qualify for big pharma assistance?

[napi21]

7. I don't know the exact figures they use, but my cousin is a transplant

patient aand takes something like 26 pills 3 times each day. He's blind and on disability and is on medicare. He fell into the "doughnut hole" in February each year, and his wife can't work because it takes too much of her time to take care of him. I asked if they ever checked on applying for meds through the Pharma Programs, and she said yes, but on disability they made too much money to qualify. I don't know exactly how much the disability checks are each month, but I know they aren't much.

[Stuart G]

2. The oldest recycled drug story....you won't believe...

During WWII. there was a drug that was recycled. Quietly..in a way that few know, but it worked. Used penicillin....How was it recycled???

..When it was first discovered that it was the most powerful thing against bacteria on earth, 43, or 44. (not sure) the men who got it for infected wounds, were on death's bed. It worked and saved their lives.
..But it was in such short supply that urine was collected from those that had been injected, the urine was purified, the penicillin was collected, used again, and saved more lives.......