COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

DATE:

February 15, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

February 28, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Adrienne J. Tissier

SUBJECT:

Establishing a voluntary repository and distribution program to distribute surplus medications to persons in need of financial assistance to ensure access to necessary pharmaceutical therapies.

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt an ordinance adding Chapter 4.112 to Title 4 of the San Mateo County ordinance code establishing a repository and distribution program for unused surplus medications pursuant to Health and Safety Code Division 116.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all

Goal: No. 5 Residents have access to healthcare and preventive care

BACKGROUND:

As the County’s population continues to grow and age, the County’s mandate to provide adequate healthcare to uninsured and under-insured patients will also expand proportionately, along with the associated costs. Under Senate Bill 798, which added Health and Safety Code Division 116, California counties may establish a “pharmaceutical recycling” program through which entities, such as long-term care facilities and/or pharmaceutical companies, voluntarily donate certain unexpired, unused prescription medicines for redistribution to qualifying indigent patients.

All medicines defined as controlled substances are excluded.

Creating a program as allowed by Health and Safety Code Division 116 would result in net savings to the San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC), while simultaneously improving access by low-income patients to physician-prescribed treatments.

This Board supported Senate Bill 798 in the Legislature.

DISCUSSION:

To ensure fiscal and logistical feasibility, SMMC is prepared to initiate a 12-month pilot program centered on the hospital’s 64-bed, long-term care unit. This will allow administration and staff to operate a self-contained program, while identifying and addressing issues as they appear. The intention is to use the pilot to establish efficiencies and effective protocols, as a prelude to expansion – first to the Burlingame Long-Term Care facility, followed by outreach to private long-term care sites for participation in the program.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Unknown. Based on reports from jurisdictions in other states operating similar programs, potential annual savings exceed $1 million. Short-term fiscal impacts are likely neutral to negative, but the long-term outlook is promising. Progress reports on the program, including costs and savings, will be submitted to this Board at the end of six months and 12 months.