What to Do with Unused Hepatitis C Medications

[lporterrn]

I was quite disturbed by a conversation on the Forum about what to do with unused Harvoni. When I am disquieted, I write. Don't know if others will find this helpful... http://blogs.hepmag.com/lucindakporter/2015/09/unused_hepatitis_drugs.html

[gnatcatcher]

Lucinda, thanks for all the research that went into your article, and especially for the http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-prescription-drug-return-reuse-and-recycling.aspx link showing the current laws in the various states. For quite some years now, I've been donating money to, and receiving newsletters from, a free clinic in a very impoverished state; the newsletters regularly request donations of a wide variety of prescription medicines ('tho' no mention of HCV meds yet). Thanks to your link, I see that the state where I live allows such donations as long as the original bottle is still sealed, and the state where the clinic operates has a possibly stalled or moot bill to that effect. Perhaps because of seeing all those newsletter requests, I had no idea that such a sensible policy wasn't universal.

[lporterrn]

Gnatty,
I think we will see more of these because of changes in the FDA policy. It is mind-boggling that it has taken this long. 

[Joe NM]

My office just recently ended up with a LITTLE BIT more Viekira Pak, and we're officially up to a 12-week course of treatment in our storage closet awaiting destruction (a few people had to stop, let's just say we're not prescribing it for advanced cirrhosis anymore no matter what the insurance company says, we sent the case reports to Abbvie)...followed the trail of links and in my state only the Corrections Department is allowed to donate...a bill has been introduced the past 4 years to allow clinics to donate in conjunction with the distributing pharmacy but it hasn't made it out of committee...goodness yes this is a tough one...

[Anne A]

I have two friends with Hep C medicine -one in Mo. used one week had to stop-don't know what it is and another in Fla. unused. They don't want to throw it away because someone could use it. Seems a shame the way so many are in need.