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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
08/01/2024 08:43 AM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?SPick=20230&chamber=H&cosponId=42196
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House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: February 28, 2024 11:08 AM
From: Representative Bryan Cutler
To: All House members
Subject: Prescription Drug Repository
 
In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation encouraging the donation of unused prescription drugs to pharmacies for the purpose of dispensing them to individuals in need.

Act 14 of 2008 created the Cancer Drug Repository Program to allow health care facilities, hospitals and physicians' offices to donate unused cancer drugs to pharmacies in an effort to aid low-income cancer patients in getting access to life-saving medications. The current program is voluntary and is overseen by the State Board of Pharmacy.

As drug prices continue to rise, it is becoming increasingly more difficult for some people to adhere to their prescription and even afford their medication at all. Recent examples of this growing problem are the rising costs of insulin and the EpiPen.

In response to these significant healthcare concerns, I am introducing legislation to expand upon the existing Cancer Drug Repository Program to allow both health care facilities and individuals to donate prescription drugs (other than cancer drugs) to the program. The program will ensure safety by requiring donated drugs to meet strict criteria before being accepted under the program. Participation in the program will remain voluntary.

As of 2023, there are 44 states that have enacted laws for donation and reuse of applicable prescription drugs.  Many of these programs have reported successful results following their implementation.  For example:
 
  • While only operational since 2017, Georgia’s Good Pill Pharmacy Donated Drug Repository Program has filled over 796,000 prescriptions, worth over $64 million.
  • Established in 2001, Iowa’s SafeNetRx Program has served over 123,700 patients and redistributed more than $74.2 million of medication and supplies.
  • Since 2004, Oklahoma’s Drug Recycling Program has donated over 285,000 prescriptions, worth at least $28.4 million.
  • Wyoming’s Medication Donation Program began in 2007 and has helped the state fill over 150,000 prescriptions worth over $44.2 million.
 
I hope you will join in co-sponsoring this important legislation. Thank you for your interest and support.
 


Introduced as HB2363