Iowa program redistributes unused meds to uninsured

NEW YORK A year-old program in Iowa redistributes unused drugs from nursing homes to uninsured patients to treat high blood pressure, depression and other conditions.

Nursing homes donate drugs from residents who have changed prescriptions or died to the Iowa Prescription Drug Corp. After examination by pharmacists to ensure safety, the drugs are repackaged and sent to free clinics.

The program only uses drugs that have not been given to the nursing home residents for whom they were prescribed. It does not accept unused drugs from people’s medicine cabinets or drugs that carry the risk of addiction.