Pharmacies could help dispose of prescription drugs under bill

In recent years, lawmakers have raised the alarm about the opioid addiction epidemic and its contributions to overdose deaths.

“Opioid abuse is a crisis in thousands and thousands of (households) in the country,” said Rep. Bob Barrett (R-Taylors Falls). “Opioids are being abused at record levels.”

Rep. Bob Barrett

Sponsored by Barrett and Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Vernon Center), HF1503/SF1425* would allow pharmacies to dispose of prescriptions drugs, particularly controlled substances, as pharmaceutical waste for individuals with a lawful prescription or for a long-term care facility on behalf of a patient with a prescription. Currently, only law enforcement is legally allowed to collect and transport prescription drugs for disposal.

Passed 129-0, the amended bill returns to the Senate where it was originally passed 64-0 May 2.

The bill was amended to allow pharmacists to participate in initiating, managing and discontinuing prescriptions of opiate antagonist drugs for individuals pursuant to protocols the Board of Pharmacy would establish. Currently, such drugs, which bind opioid receptors to block the effects of opioids on an individual, can only be dealt with by physicians.

The changes would be, in part, to comply with adoption of federal regulations to implement the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010. The bill would also provide legal protections to pharmacies as they carry out this work, since it is illegal for individuals to possess these drugs without a prescription.

Drug overdose deaths in Minnesota grew from 516 deaths in 2014 to 572 deaths in 2015, according to the draft report by the Department of Health of overdose deaths in Minnesota from 2000 to 2015.