House panel advances bill to expand cancer drug repository into broader prescription-drug reuse program

House Health Committee members voted unanimously to report House Bill 69 as amended, a measure to expand the existing Cancer Drug Repository program into a broader prescription drug repository that would allow approved pharmacies to redispense unused prescription drugs to indigent patients.

Representative Cutler, the bill’s prime sponsor, told the committee the measure “really was born out of a constituent meeting,” describing a constituent who had been told to throw away costly unused medications after a family member’s death. “As we look to figure out why … we look to both broaden the scope and the opportunity for individuals and families,” Cutler said.

The bill requires the state board of pharmacy to establish a program allowing pharmacies approved by the pharmacy board to accept and re-dispense unused prescription drugs to indigent patients. Participation would be voluntary for pharmacies.

The committee adopted amendment A00290, which, according to the amendment explanation, changes the time limit on temporary regulations to three years and “adds in clarifying language to ensure liability protections that correspond with existing law.” Representative Khan seconded the amendment; the amendment was agreed to and incorporated into the bill.

Committee discussion emphasized that participation in the current program is very limited: sponsors said only about two pharmacies were enrolled under the previous cancer-drug-only program. Supporters described the expansion as a way to reduce waste and help low-income patients obtain needed medications.

After discussion, a member moved to report House Bill 69 as amended; the motion was seconded and, with no negative votes, the committee reported the bill unanimously out of committee.

The measure now moves to the next step in the House process.