Utah lawmaker proposes donating unused medications to needy

In Utah, Rep. Gage Froerer (R-Huntsville) has introduced a bill that would save unused prescription drugs and donate them to people in need. The bill would authorize certain physicians, pharmacies, manufacturers, and nursing facilities to donate to “medically indigent” individuals who are on Medicaid, Medicare, or are uninsured. A similar program in Oklahoma has filled more than $16 million worth of prescriptions with recycled medications at a cost of less than $6,000. Several recycling initiatives in other states have experienced success as well.