Michigan's Cancer Drug Repository Program helps with drug use

Since 2006, Michigan has had a cancer drug storage program that allows citizens to donate cancer drugs and supplies used to administer cancer drugs for use by another person who meets eligibility criteria set forth in the Michigan Public Health Code.

YesRx partners with Trinity Pharmacy Reichert Center in Ypsilanti to donate cancer medications. Courtesy of YesRx.

Since June 2023, the YesRx network of cancer drug repository programs has been working to improve health equity through access to medicines and has provided over $7 million worth of cancer drugs to patients in Michigan at no cost.

YesRx has partnered with the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy for two Pharmacy Community Connect Day events on August 20 and 22. Pharmacists will be accepting donations of cancer medications for patients in Michigan from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at University of Michigan Health and Trinity Health Michigan locations.

“Cancer drug donations improve community health by leveraging medicines that would otherwise be wasted and helping patients in need,” notes Siobhan Norman, CEO of YesRx.

Donations of cancer drugs are eligible if:

• They are sealed in the manufacturer's original packaging.
• The expiration date is at least six months or more.
• Medicines were stored at room temperature.
• These are supportive cancer drugs used to treat the side effects of cancer.

YesRx is a Michigan nonprofit organization sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan Value Partnerships, Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium, Trinity Health Michigan, and the Michigan Society of Hematology and Oncology.

For more information, visit the YesRx website.

The Cancer Drug Repository Program is independent of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy's drug disposal program. Both programs are designed to protect human health and the environment.