Is there a legal way to donate unexpired costly medication?

allnurses Guide · Jul 27, 2015

Does anyone know of a way to legally donate unexpired medication to those in need? For example, I've 25 days of the one medication prescribed as an anti-HIV viral and 26 days of another medication for similar treatment. Both were prescribed for needle stick prior to finding out the lab work.

I would contact your pharmacy that dispensed the medication - If the bottles are unopened you may be able to simply return them and get a credit. If that is not an option I would try looking up a HIV/AIDS Hospice and see if they can use the medications.

Hppy

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2015

Thank you.

Oceanpacific · Jul 28, 2015

If you were given the meds for a needle stick you probably got them for free, I hope. Though it is wasteful, pharmacies should not take back meds even if they are in the manufacturer's original packaging. There is too much liability for possible tampering of meds once they are out of the pharmacy's custody. Hopefully your community has a prescription med drop off location to allow for safe disposal of meds

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jul 28, 2015

Not legally. The laws and restrictions are very specific regarding medication once dispensed. If it were pharmacy error they could take it back but even if appears unopened the medication must be destroyed

Karou · Jul 28, 2015

I wish there was a better way to utilize medications like this. Medications that aren't expired but the patient no longer needs. We waste so many expensive medications that are perfectly good

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2015

Yep...no way to prive they were not in a microwave or frozen or whatever.

AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jul 29, 2015

In most states, if not all, once the medication leaves the pharmacy it cannot come back! You may be able to donate it to a medical mission out of the states though.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Jul 29, 2015

Check with a reputable charity like Doctors Without Borders. I may be wrong but I don't believe they can be used in the US once dispensed, but the charities that operate overseas don't have as many restrictions.

Nice of you to think of this! It does seem like such a waste to just destroy meds that could be used by somebody in need.

CrunchBerries · Jul 29, 2015

Places like Mayo Clinic have a 3rd world box. Example, if they change brands in their crash carts they have to dispose of all the old brands and they put all the old drugs in a 3rd world box. Every now and again they send it off to some other country that needs drugs. Maybe your hospital has the same thing.

Graduatenurse14 · Jul 29, 2015

Try Global Links. They may take them or know of another org that will.

Global Links | Sharing Surplus, Saving LivesGlobal Links is a medical relief and development organization dedicated to supporting health improvement initiatives in resource-poor communities and promoting environmental stewardship in the US healthcare system.

Since 1989 Global Links has been working to redirect still-useful materials away from US landfills to support public health programs in targeted communities throughout the Western Hemisphere. We share our experience and technical knowledge with international and domestic partners, and educate our volunteers, donors and the community on issues of global health and environmental stewardship.

Respect for all people and our planet guides our mission. We work toward a day when no one will die for lack of what others throw away.

Oceanpacific · Jul 29, 2015

While a lovely gesture, as it is a less than one month supply of meds, it is probably the best use of everyone's time just to safely dispose of the meds.