Serving Our Seniors is proud to have played a role in the establishment of the Ohio Drug Repository Program. This program recovers unexpired, tamper-proof packaged prescription medications, already paid for by Medicaid. These medications are then dispensed to those who cannot afford to fill their prescriptions. Until the Drug Repository Program legislation in 2004, these medicines were treated as medical waste and destroyed. Serving Our Seniors in partnership with Buderer Drug Co. can now make generic prescription drugs available up to a 90 day supply and name brand drugs for up to a 30 day supply of brand name medications per prescription filled. The quantity of medication dispensed will depend upon how your physician writes the prescription AND the available supply of donated medication to the drug repository program.  Call a Serving Our Seniors advocate today to learn more about this valuable and cost saving program.  The phone number is 011-624-1856.

More Information about the Drug Repository

Qualification

Please call a Serving Our Seniors advocate for information. Serving Our Seniors: 419-624-1856 or 800-564-1856

Karon’s Law

In the year 2002, Ohio was the first State to adopt a Drug Repository program. This law (known as Karon’s Law) allows nursing homes, long term care pharmacies and wholesalers to donate unused medications for redistribution to those patients who meet Ohio residency and specific financial requirements. “Karon’s Law,” is named for the late Karon Beltz, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 1999. Following her death, her husband, Mr. Garry Beltz, learned that he was required to destroy his late wife’s cancer medications. Knowing that many people could not afford the medications, Beltz worked with State Senator Kirk Schuring (R-Ohio 29th) to change the law. Gov. Bob Taft signed Karon’s Law on Jan. 6, 2003. The law established rules governing requirements and procedures for eligibility, handling, quality assurance and redistribution. The law went into effect in April 2004. A majority of other states have since passed similar legislation. In 2006, Serving Our Seniors of Erie County partnered with Buderer Drug Co. to establish the Drug Repository Program. The Drug Repository currently services, Erie, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Lucas, Ottawa, and Wood Counties.