SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Democrats and advocates support a bill that expands IDROP, (Illinois Prescription Drug Repository) which is a law that allows citizens to donate expensive prescription drugs so patients without insurance could have free access to them.
Currently, any citizen for any reason can donate unexpired and unopened prescription drugs to pharmacies. This can range from cancer drugs to insulin. These drugs can then be donated to uninsured patients, who cannot afford the thousands of dollars these drugs usually cost.
The expansion includes the Illinois Department of Public Health to oversee the IDROP program by educating more pharmacists of IDROP's existence and adding a website that shows all pharmacies a part of the program.
Elizabeth Lindquist from the IDROP coalition and UW health spoke on her experience with a uninsured cancer patient, who gained access to life saving drugs through the program. However, the drugs themselves came from Wyoming, where she says their program is "more robust."
"IDROP allows the transfer of donated drugs between pharmacies in different states," Lindquist said. "Illinois' population is 20 times that of Wyoming, and I've got no doubt that more provider and patient participation with IDROP, we'll never have had to ask Wyoming to share their supply."
The plan passed unanimously out of the public health committee, where it will stay on the House floor for the time being as lawmakers contact IDPH about the proposal.
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