Committee hears bill to let patients take home eye drops used during care

Lansing — The House Health Policy Committee on Thursday heard testimony on House Bill 4072, a measure that would permit hospitals, emergency departments and outpatient surgery centers to allow patients to take home topical eye medications (eye drops and ointments) that were opened or started while the patient was under care.

Proponents said the change would reduce patient costs, cut medical waste and remove delays in obtaining time-sensitive eye medicines. Dr. Scott Westhouse, a retina specialist testifying for the Michigan Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, said, “This bill will ensure that topical eye medicines or drops that are used for patient care within the hospital, emergency room, or surgery center can be taken home with a patient if they need…