I just got 1 months worth of tykerb delivered on the same day I learned I was being taken off tykerb.  Of course, the pharmacy is not allowed to take it back even though I havent' even opened the package.  And the dr's office won't take it, for same reasons, which I totally understand, they have to be cautious about distributing a pure product.  But I know 150 of these pills are really expensive & it pains me to think I have to dispose them.  Any one know of a place I could donate to that could actually use them?

Jordan, that's a great question, and you prompted me to do a little research.

I see you are in Minneapolis, and Wisconsin has a cancer drug repository that might accept your Tykerb, since you haven't opened it yet:

http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/bqaconsumer/cancerdrugreposy.htm

In the "frequently asked questions" (http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/bqaconsumer/cdrqas.htm) it says you have to bring the drugs to a participating pharmacy, along with some documentation from your doctor -- there are participating pharmacies in Eau Claire and LaCrosse that seem like the closest to Minneapolis.

Legislation was passed to create a Minnesota Cancer Drug Repository, but I can't tell if the program has really been established yet.  All I could find was some PDF forms for pharmacies to join up, but these forms say to call the State Pharmacy Board with any questions: 651-201-2825

www.phcybrd.state.mn.us/forms/cdrguidelines.pdf

Besides Wisconsin, other states that already have cancer drug repositories are: Ohio, Georgia, Nebraska, Maryland, Illinois, New York and Missouri (according to this recent article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/349734_firstperson04.html )

One more link!  To the blog of Jeanne Sather (who wrote that editorial in the Seattle PI, last link in my previous comment):

http://www.assertivepatient.com/recycle_drugs/index.html

She has lots of links to state drug repositories, she's trying to get one started in Washington, and if you scroll down to the bottom of the page, she shares her feelings about the federal government's recommendation for what we should do with unused prescription meds!

Jeanne Sather: "I have more than $7,000 worth of Tykerb in my medicine cabinet. If my doctor decided to change my meds, the government thinks I should mix this $7,000 worth of perfectly good drugs with kitty litter and throw them away--that's outrageous!"

This national reality is one which warrants a national answer. With the price of American drugs so high, why should perfectly good medicine be discarded when so many people clearly could use free medicine.

I do not have an answer for you Jordon. Thank you for asking and being so generous in thought.

Perhaps someone else will have an idea.

Tender

This is so strange, I was just at my oncs office today talking to the social worker who forwarned me about the price of tykerb, and wanted me to call my insurance company to see what the co pay will be for it before she submitted the prescription, well when I called and they told me it was going to cost me 748.49 a month. I called the social worker back and told her I can not afford that a month. So she is working on something to help pay for it, How does anyone afford that for one medicine!!! Has anyone ever not been able to take it because they can not afford it, is there something else they can give us, I failed on herceptin. hugs abby

Abby - I'd be happy to donate my tykerb to you if allowed. check with the social worker. 

Ann - thanks for doing this research - I will check out these sites & pursue any options for MN

<deleting> just in case.

check out the mfg website, they usually have programs to help with copays if you can't afford them.  I also thought I heard this could be billed like a chemo so you don't have such a high copay on it but I don't want to be quoted on that one.

My onco nurse also has a secret drawer--after the fight I had to put up with my insurance company for approval of Zofran, I continued to refill it for two months after the end of my chemo and donated all of the unused pills and two new prescriptions, in their original blister packs and boxes from the pharmacy, to the "secret drawer."

It made no sense to throw them out when they could help someone else whose insurane would not cover it--if they want to charge me with some felony fine--I cannot imagine any jury convicting me.

problem is so many people could get in so much trouble because of legality issues.  But in my opinion I think there should be some way to turn them in and allow people who can't afford co pays or don't have insurance to take the pills.  Of course, I honestly think a simple email like this will get you lots of private messages from someone in need and no one knows the better.

Isn't that sad, LuAnn -- how much trouble people could get in, for their secret drawers?   (that's all I'll say publicly! )

I have Zofran that I am passing along to a chatter in chat room when she comes to Houston soon.   Don't feel comfortable mailing it but will gladly hand it over at dinner.  lol

In 2005 I felt physially ill throwing all the Zofran away knowing how expensive it was.  Won't do it again.

Watson

I know, I hang onto pills until expiration, you just never know when they will come in handy.