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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah lawmaker is sponsoring a bill that would donate unused prescription drugs to people in need.
KSL-TV reports (http://bit.ly/1mpS3mz ) that a proposal from Huntsville Republican Rep. Gage Froerer would allow certain physician's offices, pharmacies, manufacturers and nursing facilities to donate medication.
Such organizations often throw away medication because their patients improve, switch drugs or pass away. The bill would give that medication to people who are uninsured or on Medicaid or Medicare.
Froerer said Monday that he modeled the bill after a similar program in Oklahoma.
Under his bill, donated medication would have to be in sealed packaging and unexpired.
Fiscal analysis say the program would cost about $8,200 to establish and $1,200 per year after that.
The National Conference of State Legislatures says many states have some form of drug recycling program.
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Information from: KSL-TV, http://www.ksl.com/
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