Roemer, Jordan Bill to Increase Rx Access, Cut Waste Passes Ohio House

COLUMBUS – State Representatives Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) and State Representative Kris Jordan (R-Ostrander) announced Wednesday that House Bill 558 has been passed by the Ohio House of Representatives.

House Bill 558 would allow unused prescription drugs to be safely donated by end users to charitable pharmacies and non-profit clinics. This would allow Ohioans to simultaneously cut down on drug waste and improve access to life-saving medications for uninsured and underinsured patients. 

In the United States, prescription drug prices have continued to climb. Since 2007, prescription drug list prices have seen an increase of more than 159 percent and net prices have jumped 60 percent during the same period. 

“This is a win-win bill, and it’s just common sense,” said Roemer. “With the costs of prescription drugs on the rise and the cost of living increasing due to inflation, uninsured and underinsured Ohioans are especially vulnerable right now. No charitable pharmacy should have to turn away perfectly good medicine. We cannot continue to overregulate life-saving drugs into the trashcan when so many Ohioans are in need.” 

The bill passed the Ohio House with unanimous support, and will now go to the Senate for further consideration.