[Pharmwaste] Ohio Law Likely To Change So Discarded Drugs Can Be Donated

[DeBiasi,Deborah]

Ohio Law Likely To Change So Discarded Drugs Can Be Donated


1 hour, 43 minutes ago


A 5 On Your Side investigation is getting big results.


5 On Your Side Investigator Ron Regan first told viewers about millions of dollars of expensive, life-saving drugs that were simply going to waste.


In Columbus on Wednesday, a house committee heard new legislation that would get vital medicine to Ohio's sick and dying.


Regan reported the legislation already passed overwhelmingly in the senate.


The 5 On Your Side investigation exposed how life-saving medication, some costing patients $10,000 a month, were winding up being flushed down the toilet.


Sometimes, the medication had never been opened. The discarded drugs that ease pain, treat cancer and fight heart disease are never reaching the sick and dying. Many more are simply thrown in a furnace and incinerated by licensed disposal companies.


The investigation also found an Ohio law that could save millions of lives was simply being ignored.


Omni Care, headquarted in Ohio, feared the law didn't protect them from potential lawsuits. As result of the investigation, state Sen. Kirk Schuring will introduce new legislation that would protect those who donate drugs from lawsuits that claim the medication caused injury or death.


"We're basically saying that if they want to donate these drugs -- free of charge -- to free clinics where they can be dispensed to those who so desperately need them. Then we're going to give them some immunity provisions," Schuring said. "I think it will bring tens of millions of dollars' worth of unused drugs into the system where those who don't have prescription drug coverage -- the elderly and economically disadvantaged will now have access to them through free clinics."


Regan said this means that medicine, still in tamper-proof packages with expiration dates that are years away, can be more easily donated.


Schuring told 5 On Your Side, "I commend you and Channel Five for what you've done to bring light to this issue. Had it not been for that report, we would not have been able to get to the bottom of what was causing Omni care not to participate."


Senate Bill 33 Drug Respository Law



Deborah L. DeBiasi
Email:   dldebiasi at deq.virginia.gov
WEB site address:  www.deq.virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Office of Water Permit Programs
Industrial Pretreatment/Toxics Management Program
Mail:          P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA  23218 (NEW!)
Location:  629 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA  23219
PH:         804-698-4028
FAX:      804-698-4032

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