donating medication

I admit it. I missed some doses of meds (ok, a lot) and had a script for more than I needed daily so have a surplus. Like a years worth of Pentasa. Or more. But it doesn't actually seem to work for me so my doc said to stop taking it. Now I have a huge surplus I'd like to donate to patients who are in a financial bind and need help paying for meds. I called my doctors office and they said they can't take them.

I'm in Michigan and don't have a clear sense if I can donate in state or not, or if there are national organizations that take meds that are not expired and still perfectly good. I just don't need them anymore. Any ideas of an organization I might contact to get them put to good use? Thanks!

I had at least 6 pens of Humira that my mom just got rid of. What a shame, they're so expensive that someone out there would have loved to take them off my hands.

Unfortunately, it is illegal to redistribute prescription medications within the United States.

Post Edited By Moderator (MMMNAVY) : 9/18/2010 8:52:28 AM (GMT-6)

Donate Your Medications

1. 1

   Check to see whether your state allows for the donation of prescription drugs. There is no national resource for determining this information. Each state determines whether to allow the practice and how to carry it out.

2. 2

   Determine whether your prescription medication is eligible for donation. If it has been opened or may have been tampered with, you will not be allowed to donate it.

3. 3

   Contact your doctor or pharmacist and ask whether he participates in a donation program. He may be able to recommend a program or a further point of contact. Other options include contacting area hospitals and clinics.

4. 4

   Dispose of prescription drugs properly if you cannot find a donation program. Throw them away or take them to a household hazardous-waste collection point. Do not put them into a sink or toilet.

5. 5

   Understand that donating in the United States can be difficult. Due to legal issues regarding drug donations, many recycled medications are taken overseas to be redistributed.

Get to Know Your State Donation Rules

6. 1

   Recognize that some states limit prescription drug recycling to drugs that were distributed to qualified institutions, like long-term-care facilities.

7. 2

   Look into your state's drug donation regulations. States that allow individuals to donate prescription medications limit the specific drugs to be donated. Most donation programs will only accept unopened medication.

8. 3

   Know that many states do not allow individuals to donate prescription drugs, although distributors are allowed to donate medications with specific limitations. Several states make no arrangements for the disposal of prescription drugs at all, beyond simply throwing them in the trash.

Read more: How to Donate Your Prescription Drugs | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2051972_donate-prescription-drugs.html#ixzz0ztLHtr00

Navy,  they still have that program and yes the meds are sent to other countries not redistributed here in the USA. 

Kitt