I have 9 injector pens I can't use

[Smika]

I have to stop my Humira injections due to surgery. I still have 9 pens left in my fridge that I don't know what to do with. At $862.00 each (my insurance paid for it) I hate to just dispose of them! Especially knowing there are so many people out there that need it and can't afford it. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do with it?

 

[CrohnsChicago]

Are they still in unopened packages they came in? Maybe see if your doctor or pharmacy will take them and credit your account? I know not many will do that (certain states and areas have certain regulations about accepting unused medications) but it never hurts to ask. If anything they would be able to properly dispose of it for you.

Also, if you know anyone who could use the medication, why not offer it to them? I'm sure they would greatly appreciate it.

 

[effdee]

Usually a pharmacy/doctor can't do anything with medication once it has been given to a patient but, for how much they cost, I'd say it's worth a phone call to double check.

 

[KWalker]

kijiji? lol

 

[DougUte]

I have to stop my Humira injections due to surgery. I still have 9 pens left in my fridge that I don't know what to do with. At $862.00 each (my insurance paid for it) I hate to just dispose of them! Especially knowing there are so many people out there that need it and can't afford it. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do with it?

Are you not going back on Humira after surgery?

 

[Smika]

My pharmacy won't take anything back once you leave the premises with it. The packages are unopened. I would like to give them to someone who could use them as opposed to disposing them. Doesn't seem right to throw away thousands of dollars of meds when someone else may not have any coverage and have to pay for them. And LOL KWalker, Kijiji might be the next site I visit

 

[Smika]

Are you not going back on Humira after surgery?

I don't believe so.... I'm hoping not!

 

[katiesue1506]

Ugh I know the pain... I just recently ejected 2 full boxes of Humira into the sink after keeping them in the fridge for almost a year. No one would take them though.

Money money money.

 

[Smika]

It's hard to advertise that you have prescription medication to give away. Normally I wouldn't give away meds, but because this stuff is so expensive, I can't seem to help but want to... It will probably eventually get put sown the sink as well. Most people seem to have coverage of some type (thank goodness)

 

[CrohnsChicago]

Please do not dispose of medication down the sink. Research has shown that traces of medication flushed/drained winds right back up in your drinking water.

In the US, the FDA has listed medications deemed safe to dispose of in the sink than let go in the trash. Worst case scenario, if you cannot find a take-back program, you may throw non-flushable medications in the trash.
http://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesf...edicine/safedisposalofmedicines/ucm186187.htm

Many cities in numerous countries also host medical disposal days. I know in Chicago, there is a time in the year where you are allowed to drop all expired medication off at any police station for proper disposal.

Before you dispose of medication in the trash or sink/toilet, please check your local government sites and see if they offer a safer alternative site.

 

[David]

It's super nice of you to want to give your extras away. However, it's not legal in the USA so please don't give it away here. I wish we could connect you with someone who has a prescription AND a need for it, unfortunately we cannot. I'm sorry

If you try and give it away elsewhere, be sure that the person has a prescription and it'll be utilized as part of their doctor's guided regimen. Taking biologics like Humira improperly can have devastating effects including building up antibodies to it so it can't be properly used at a later date.

 

[Smika]

It's super nice of you to want to give your extras away. However, it's not legal in the USA so please don't give it away here.

If you try and give it away elsewhere, be sure that the person has a prescription

Would never be able to keep the medication cool enough to ship to the USA. So that wouldn't happen. And if I find someone close to me, I would definitely need to see their prescription. No way would I give it without doing that. But now you have me wondering if it's legal in Canada. I will have to look into that. Thanks

 

[katiesue1506]

Please do not dispose of medication down the sink. Research has shown that traces of medication flushed/drained winds right back up in your drinking water.

In the US, the FDA has listed medications deemed safe to dispose of in the sink than let go in the trash. Worst case scenario, if you cannot find a take-back program, you may throw non-flushable medications in the trash.
http://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesf...edicine/safedisposalofmedicines/ucm186187.htm

Many cities in numerous countries also host medical disposal days. I know in Chicago, there is a time in the year where you are allowed to drop all expired medication off at any police station for proper disposal.

Before you dispose of medication in the trash or sink/toilet, please check your local government sites and see if they offer a safer alternative site.

I know this but I don't really know why I didn't think about it. Thanks for the reminder. I guess in my head medicine=pills. I just didn't connect Humira and water supply together. Stupid people, eh? :ycool::ybatty:

I think I did it because its SO HARD to get rid of sharps around here. But I recently just found out that my local trash pickup service will take them if they are put in an empty laundry detergent box. They refuse to take them in sharps containers for some reason. Other than doing it that way, I'd have to wait till the hazardous waste day that the town over gives... AND THEN I might not be accepted cause I don't actually live there, I only work there.

Anywho, never again in the sink. I did read your link and it makes me feel better that they've not been able to say the trace amounts of meds are from disposal... but mostly from the natural excretion of meds in urine. Still though BAD BAD BAD.