Leftover Enbrel shots

[J Foo Foo]

Doc switched me from Enbrel to Simponi today, not sure how well it will work. Slightly worry about it as both humira and enbrel has stopped working for me.
Let me get to the point of the post. I still have 15x25ml shots left, I am pretty sure I don't just want toss it out, and I am pretty sure it's illegal to give them away. is there a proper way for me to give these to the people who needs them?
Mike.. got any links?

[MikeK]

Hi J Foo Foo,

Doc switched me from Enbrel to Simponi today, not sure how well it will work. Slightly worry about it as both humira and enbrel has stopped working for me.

Good luck with the Simponi. I hope and pray that it turns out to be your wonder drug.

Let me get to the point of the post. I still have 15x25ml shots left, I am pretty sure I don't just want toss it out, and I am pretty sure it's illegal to give them away. is there a proper way for me to give these to the people who needs them?

That's very generous of you to want to give a very expensive medication such as Enbrel to someone who might need it. Unfortunately, you're right -- that would be illegal. (sigh)

Mike.. got any links?

LOL. The only link that I can think of is to this very old thread (circa 2003). NPF staffer Eve-Maridy Rice explains that it's illegal to give someone a prescription medication. PJ Leary explained that after her mother died of cancer she gave her mom's unused cancer medications to her doctor's office: http://talkpsoriasis.org/showthread....hlight=illegal. Your doctor might not be willing to accept unused medication from a patient, but he or she might have some ideas as to what you can do with the unused Enbrel.

I hope this helps.

Mike

[ouchyk]

I remember this from another poster asking a few years ago, and was happy to find that some states accept donations...

" Practical Guidelines for Consumers Hoping to Donate Drugs
Most state programs described in this report have substantial restrictions on who can donate, and what types of prescription products may be donated. Very strict safety rules also apply, intended to protect the patient that ultimately obtains and takes the drug. See the state law table below for specific examples or language.
In many states, all donations must meet standards such as:

Only certain, professionally-designated persons can make a donation. For example the Kansas law states, "Health facilities and pharmacies;" Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island have similar limitations. Other states do allow patients to donate directly, for example, Arizona, Florida and Iowa.
Pills in opened or partly used bottles are never accepted. Generally the packaging must be intact, meeting an exact standard such as the Kentucky law, "Upon inspection, the drug must be in its original, unopened, sealed, and tamper-evident unit dose packaging."
Old drugs are never accepted. Expiration dates must be visible, and usually at least six months later than the date of donation. (Many prescription products carry an expiration date approximately one year after the original date of the purchase)

Commonly, donated drugs must be delivered to a specific type of medical or pharmacy facility. Some may require the donor to sign a form or waiver.

Usually financial compensation is prohibited. Donations may be tax-deductable if paid for by the individual patient and taxpayer. Beyond donation programs, patients and other individuals may not sell any prescription drugs - such transactions are strictly regulated by State Boards of Pharmacy and other state and federal laws.

If your goal as a consumer is simply to protect your local water supply or clean out your medicine cabinet, these programs will not meet your needs.

If you wish to participate, check with a local pharmacy or prescriber for practical advice on what may work in your situation, in your state.

Disclaimer: NCSL provides material about state laws as general information, primarily for policymakers. No information in this report is intended as personal legal or medical advice; NCSL is not responsible for any such uses or application of material in this report.


http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=14425

NJ

What Rx: Prescription drugs.
Who can donate: Unopened, unexpired prescription drugs dispensed to, but not used by, a patient within a licensed health care facility, may be reused at the facility in accordance with regulations issued by the State Board of Pharmacy.

Restructions: Must be unopened and unexpired.
Program Status: This provision was not operational as of 12/2007 according to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy; No program in operation as of August 2009.

so in other words like mikek said " check with your dr "!

It's a shame in this day & age, with so many out of work, no standard law in place for the consumer to return unused medication for thousands who do not have insurance, or are under-insured that consumers who have unopened, unused medication that are very expensive are unable to donate it...

I guess it would cost a pretty penny to have each pharmacy or dr check each rx to authenticate & the liability too high a risk......

Karen

[nesielheum]

Hi J Foo Foo,
Best of luck to you with Simponi. I wish I could help or suggest something to you regarding the surplus Enbrel, but like Mike has pointed out, doing so might be deemed unethical regarding the letter of the law.
The anonymity of a message board has some advantages, but a strong support group of people that you know and trust has advantages too. Sometimes little problems are not a problem at all.
Again, the very best of luck to you with Simponi, or whatever treatment your future holds!

[mstaylor]

I think your Doctor is the best bet ..Have you asked. I had Enbrel and Humira that I couldn't take, my Dr gladly accepted them and thanked me for it. Being that he was the prescribing physician and the packets are sealed.

[nesielheum]

I think your Doctor is the best bet ..Have you asked. I had Enbrel and Humira that I couldn't take, my Dr gladly accepted them and thanked me for it. Being that he was the prescribing physician and the packets are sealed.

Sounds like you have been there....done that. good advice mstaylor!

[grannyfranny]

My derm told me to bring them to him,,,,,wonder if they can use them if they want to start a patient right away.

Anyway, take them to your doc,,,,,,you wouldn't want to give them to someone that might get sick from Enbrel.

[little lisa x07]

When I had unused enbrel shots left i told my doc and she said bring them in and the hosp will give you money for them so my dad brought them in an myy doc gave them to people who needed them.

[singlebarrel]

Some doctors take the medications and give them to patients that can't afford it or that would lessen the financial burden.

You may want to ask your doc or call enliven services and see what they suggest.

[Mybadgenes]

When I was using Amiveve a few years back the injections were given in my derm's office. When I was taken off the meds what was left were left behind with her.

My daughter was just put on Humira and received her first two shots that day in the rheumatologist's office. Then her prescription was given. It makes me think that someone left their meds there for them to use as they saw fit. Not sure about that. If I am taken off Humira I do have someone to give them to.

I agree with the others.....call the prescriber.

Juanita

[J Foo Foo]

Thanks for all the wonderful reply. I am now in between enbrel and simponi... waiting for enbrel to exit my system and also waiting on blood work result before the doc give me ok to shoot up with the new drug.
I just contacted my doc's office and will wait to see what he has to say. I would really love to see it goes to someone who really needs it.

[likefrogs]

Hello,
I do hope that the new medication works well for you. When my husband had to stop taking his embrel, we had quite a bit in the fridge. We were in the same situation,, did not want to break the law, did not want to throw thousands of dollars away. I ask our pharmasist what we should do and he could not advise me.. Another lady was at pharmacy and heard me and called me later and told of an older lady on a fixed income that could not affored her embrel and I called her and she called her Dr and told him of someone who was willing to donate some to her and he said go for it, made sure it was not out dated or anything and all was still in sealed box as ours was. This woman cried and cried as this was her only chance for any comfort. I do hope God forgives us if it was wrong, but to see this lady so happy about it made it so worth it. I can't tell you to donate it as I don't want you in trouble, but it is a thought. I don't know if money or anything is not exchanged it is really illegal.. just my thought.... Hope that helps some....
God bless,
Teresa

[tim49120]

I took my left over Enbrel pins to my doctor. They told me they will give them out as samples.