How to Donate Unused Medications in Pennsylvania

Many states have programs that allow you to donate medications that you have not used or no longer need. These donations are given to those in need. In 2008, a bill known as the Cancer Drug Repository Program Act was passed in Pennsylvania allowing the state to provide costly cancer medications to low-income patients. Pennsylvania's State Board of Pharmacy requires you to follow a few guidelines to ensure that your medication is acceptable before you can make your donation.

Things You'll Need

• Unopened medication
• Names of local pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics

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Instructions

• 1

  Analyze the medication you want to donate to make sure that it has not expired. Medications that have expired are not acceptable. A visible future expiration date must be visible as well. This requirement ensures the freshness of the medication. Your donated medication must be sealed in its unopened original packaging, confirming its unused status.

• 2

  Contact your local health facilities such as pharmacies, hospitals and clinics. Because of the "closed drug delivery system" in the Pennsylvania, patients are not allowed to directly donate medication to the repository program. You must first contact your local health facilities to find out if they are participating in the program.

• 3

  Deliver your medications to the professional facility you have chosen to donate your drugs to. This facility will check your medication under the guidelines provided by the pharmacy board. If acceptable, you may be required to sign a waiver form. It is unlawful to accept compensation for drug donations, but your donation may be tax-deductable if you paid for the medication yourself. Once your medication is accepted for donation, you have participated in a life-saving program that will benefit those in need.