un-used meds

[glitter]

Has anyone ever heard of a way to not waste all the meds that you get prescribed,but then for some reason or other you can't take or have to switch.Is there some place you could legally donate them?

[Sara]

As far as I know, it is illegal to transfer your prescribed meds to someone else.

[livecam]

I read an article once about a person in Arizona who kind of acted as a clearinghouse for unused meds.  There are people around who have unused transplant meds and other items who would rather give them to patients in need instead of throwing them out.  I still have some bottles of phoslo and renagel around but don't know how good they would be after some years.

[Epoman]

As far as I know, it is illegal to transfer your prescribed meds to someone else.

Well technically yes, but I personally would give my unopened bottles of Phoslo, or Renegel to the dietician and she would give them to the patients who could not afford the medicine in the first place. I had extra because I would get a prescription filled and then they would give me a 100 day supply (600-800 pills) and if they made me sick I would not take them anymore. So instead of throwing them away, I gave them to the dietician to distribute. I only did this for Phosphorus binders.

[glitter]

in particular its both phoslo and renegel he only took a few days worth of then they switched him to Tums,then now fosrenol-i hate to just pitch them out.I'll ask the dietitian.thanks

[angieskidney]

You can also give expired meds or unused meds to your local pharmacist.

[BigSky]

I have given medication I no longer use or medication where my dosage has been changed.  I usually keep it 6 months then pitch it if no one needs it. 

The way I figure it is the drug companies make a crap load already.  If it can save someone a few bucks so be it.

While it may be illegal I would find it hard to believe a jury would ever convict someone of the offense as long as it wasn't in a drug dealer scenerio for profit thing.

[Sluff]

Local authorities just had a drive yesterday for collecting unused perscription medication. I save them in case i need them later but would be willing to give them to someone in need. They wouldn't want to put me in jail cause it would cost them too much.

[mallory]

I always save mine, too.  I don't usually use them, and I end up throwing them away after awhile.  I would be willing to give them to someone who needed them.  It does seem wasteful to just throw them away.

[meadowlandsnj]

I read an article once about a person in Arizona who kind of acted as a clearinghouse for unused meds. 



I know of whom you refer to.  The owner of the Dialysis_Support group on Yahoo Groups had an article written about him in the Wall Street Journal about his helping people who can't afford to pay for their anti rejection meds.

[jbeany]

I've usually given mine to my doc's office,  like when I've switched insulin and had unopened packages.  I also gave him serveral different versions of the iron pills that made me sick.  He then passes it on to patients as free samples when they are trying something new.   No point in wasting it all - I paid my copay and the insurance paid their share - it seems wasteful to pitch it.

[Rerun]

I've usually given mine to my doc's office,  like when I've switched insulin and had unopened packages.  I also gave him serveral different versions of the iron pills that made me sick.  He then passes it on to patients as free samples when they are trying something new.   No point in wasting it all - I paid my copay and the insurance paid their share - it seems wasteful to pitch it.

This is what I do too.  I just give them to my Nephrologist and I tell her to use them or throw them out, but I just can't be so wasteful.

[Jill D.]

I have been wondering what to do with my leftover meds since having my transplant. I would love to give them to someone to save them some money, but I guess that's "illegal". I'll try what you do, Rerun, and give them to my nephrologist - unless anyone has any other ideas?

[goofynina]

OK OK,  i will settle this,  i will take all your vicodins, tylenol 3 (w/codeine), demoral and any sleep meds off your hands so you wont have to worry anymore with what to do with them     Hey, what are friends for? 

[BigSky]

I have been wondering what to do with my leftover meds since having my transplant. I would love to give them to someone to save them some money, but I guess that's "illegal". I'll try what you do, Rerun, and give them to my nephrologist - unless anyone has any other ideas?

Considering the price they charge for some of the stuff and that they make it illegal to give them to someone, people should be able to take what they have left back for a refund.

[jbeany]

When I started dialysis, my doc told me to stop a couple of my bp meds.  I only had two left of my clonodine, and I had to take a half dose for a week before stopping it completely.  When I got it refilled, I asked for only the seven pills I needed for the last week, instead of the whole 3 month supply I usually get.  The pharmacy wouldn't do it.  The scrip had already been called in, and since they had already packaged it up and run it thru the insurance, they wouldn't undo it and only give me the handful of pills I needed.  Even more frustrating - the pills usually come in sealed packets, and this batch was just lose pills in a bottle.  I could have passed the sealed packets on to the doc to hand out as samples, but they are leery of loose pills in open bottles.  So I ended up pitching 175 pills.  It just seemed so wasteful!

[froggy]

Goofynina you are too funny! It does seem like such a waste to just toss perfectly good and costly meds out when some people can not afford them but what can you do when it is illegal to give them away. I wish they could make a safe and legal way to reuse them.

[raina]

Its a free clinic for the city's very, very poor and homeless. 

I've given them alot of plls.

My pharmasist suggested it when he saw me filling a 2nd prescription for antibiotics.  The first set o pills made me very, very sick but the free clinic not only thanked me profusely but they wrote me a tax deductable reciept for the retail (alot more than my copay) value of the pills!  And I knew my pills went to helping a homeless person.



Deleted double post - Goofynina/Admin.

[goofynina]

Goofynina you are too funny! It does seem like such a waste to just toss perfectly good and costly meds out when some people can not afford them but what can you do when it is illegal to give them away. I wish they could make a safe and legal way to reuse them.

I wont tell if you wont    Believe me,  i'll make sure they are put to very good use 

[froggy]

Thats what I say too Goofynina