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Local nonprofit redistributes unused prescription drugs to Iowans in need

SafeNetRx receives 75% of donations from nursing homes, prison or veterans homes. Individuals with unused medicine or hospitals donate the other 25%.

GRIMES, Iowa — More than 40 states across the U.S. have approved drug donation repository programs, which accept unused, prescription medications to distribute to people in need.

And in Nebraska, the statehouse has a bill passing through the legislature to allow for these programs as well. But there's a twist.

The Nebraska lawmaker who introduced the bill is partnering with Grimes nonprofit organization SafeNetRx to recycle these meds in a multi-state donation program for both Nebraskans and Iowans.

"Everything would be taken care of here in Grimes," said SafeNetRx CEO Jon Rosmann.

Earlier this month, Nebraska's legislature brought the bill to a vote, and passed it 32-0.

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Since 2007, SafeNetRx has distributed to over 141,000 underserved Iowans for little or no cost, who may have inadequate health insurance or can't afford their prescriptions.

Here's how drug donation repository programs work: SafeNetRx receives 75% of their prescription drug donations from nursing homes, veteran homes or prisons. Individuals with unused medicine or hospitals donate the other 25%.

"As long as we can verify that the medicine is not expired, it's in tampered-evident concealed packaging, does not require refrigeration, and it's not a controlled substance. If it meets those four requirements, we can accept that medicine," Rosmann said.

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Pharmacists inspect medications and supplies before distributing them to medical facilities for dispensary.

In 2023, SafeNetRx processed $31.5 million of donated medicine and supplies across the state, and it's all a part of their mission to "solve medication inequity through the responsible collection and distribution of donated medicine," according to Rosmann.

"When [people have] exhausted all of their other options, and this [is] kind of the last resort for them, it's nice to finally be able to say 'yes' to them," added SafeNetRx pharmacist Jaclyn Parman.

The nonprofit also operates a mail-order, charitable pharmacy in Grimes, providing medications to Iowans in need of assistance.

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