I-DROP Coalition
Frequently Asked Questions
Use this page to get answers to commonly asked questions
Donation
Who can donate medication?
Any person, including an individual member of the public, or any entity legally authorized to possess medicine including, but not limited to, a wholesaler or distributor, third party logistic provider, pharmacy, dispenser, clinic, surgical or health center, detention and rehabilitation center, jail, prison laboratory, medical or pharmacy school, prescriber or other health care professional, long-term care facility, or healthcare facility
Who can accept drug donations?
Any health care provider or practice licensed to possess prescription drugs with a license or permit in the state in which the person or entity is located, including a free clinic, charitable clinic or pharmacy
Does the law require a pharmacy or pharmacist to participate in I-DROP?
No, nothing in I-DROP requires that a pharmacy or pharmacist be a recipient of drugs under I-DROP
What can be donated?
Prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs that are:
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In sealed, tamper-evident packaging
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Unexpired
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Refrigerated drugs IF the packaging contains a method recognized by USP to detect improper temperature variations. Must be in sealed, tamper-evident packaging and unexpired
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Supplies needed to administer a drug
What cannot be donated?
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REMS cancer drugs (lenalidomide, pomalidomide, thalidomide)
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Controlled substances
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Expired drugs
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Opened drugs
Can inhalers, eye drops, injectables or patches be donated?
Yes, these all can be donated as long as they are in unopened packaging
Can blister cards with some pills popped out be donated?
Yes, as long as some pills are still un-popped, you can donate the blister card
Redistribution/Dispensing of Donated Medication:
What patients can donated drugs be dispensed to?
Priority must be given to Illinois residents who are indigent, uninsured, underinsured, or enrolled in a public health benefits program
Can donated drugs be repackaged?
Yes, donated drugs may be repackaged as necessary for storage, dispensing, administration, or transfers
Can the donated drugs be resold?
No, drugs donated for use under I-DROP are considered non-saleable
Can donated drugs be donated to another pharmacy or provider participating in I-DROP?
Yes, you can further donate drugs to any health care provider or practice licensed to possess prescription drugs. See “Who can accept drug donations?” question above.
What can I charge patients for the donated medications that are dispensed to them?
Nothing or a small uniform reasonable handling fee that does not exceed the cost of providing the service. This handling fee is not considered reselling.
What are the storage requirements for donated drugs?
Donated inventory not yet reviewed by the pharmacist must be kept separate from other inventory
What records does the recipient clinic/pharmacy have to keep?
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Name, strength, and quantity of each accepted drug
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Name, address, and telephone number of the donor, unless a recipient is further donating to a recipient under common ownership or common control
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Per I-DROP, records must be retained in physical or electronic format, on or off the recipient's premises, for 6 years, however these records may be subject to other regulations’ retention requirements of 7-10 years
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Donors or recipients may contract with one another or a third party to create or maintain records on each other's behalf
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An identifier, such as a serial number or barcode, may be used in place of any information required as long as it allows for the information to be readily retrievable upon request by a regulatory agency
Are there specific forms that must be used?
No, none are specified
What do I do with donated drugs that are not eligible for re-dispensing?
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Record disposal with the following: disposal method, date, name and quantity of drug disposed
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Dispose of the drugs by:
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Return to the donor
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Destroy by incinerator, medical waste hauler, or other lawful method OR
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Transfer to a returns processor
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