New law allows unused prescription donations, but local pharmacies say not so fast - khqa.com

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — A new law that allows you to donate your unused and unopened prescriptions is causing some local pharmacies headaches.

The law, which took effect Jan. 1, was designed to take donated pre-packaged prescriptions and have pharmacies redistribute them to low-income and underinsured individuals.

Local pharmacies say they want to be a part of this program, but because they're understaffed and dealing with a lot of other things like vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic, they don't have the resources to participate right now.

Dave Bagot is head pharmacist and the owner of Petersburg Pharmacy. He says the other issue with the new program is that pharmacies have to pay to implement it themselves.

Bagot says the Illinois Pharmacy Association and its members were supportive of the new legislation, himself included, but he says he doesn't personally know of any pharmacy in southern, central, or eastern Illinois that has implemented it as of now.

"The funding is more complex than just the state funding it,” Bagot said. “Pharmacies could do this if the state would address the inequities that the insurance industry is throwing on the entire healthcare system, but specifically the pharmacy portion of healthcare."

Bagot says follow up legislation is needed to help implement and fund the new drug reuse program. He adds that time will help to resolve the issues related to COVID-19 and staffing.

Bagot is also very clear that people would be receiving pre-packaged medications that have been inspected by the pharmacy, such as unused asthma inhalers or injectable insulin.

Dozens of other states have similar prescription drug re-use programs. Recipients under Illinois’ new program are prioritized starting with those that have no or little health insurance.

source: https://khqa.com/news/local/a-new-law-allows-you-donate-unopened-prescriptions-but-local-pharmacies-say-not-so-fast

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