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H 1374

An Act establishing a state-wide drug repository program

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kim Ferguson and 4 co-sponsors

Massachusetts establishes statewide drug repository to safely collect unused medications, reduce environmental contamination, and potentially recover pharmaceutical resources for state use.

Accompanied a study order, see H5234
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Bill Summary · H 1374

Legislative bill overview

H 1374 establishes a state-wide drug repository program in Massachusetts that would collect and manage unused or expired medications from residents and healthcare facilities. The program aims to provide a centralized system for safe medication disposal while potentially recovering usable pharmaceutical inventory for state use or redistribution.

Why is this important

Improper medication disposal contributes to environmental contamination, water supply pollution, and substance abuse through access to discarded drugs. A centralized repository could reduce these public health risks while potentially recovering cost savings for the state healthcare system through pharmaceutical reuse or resale programs.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and funding: Establishing statewide infrastructure requires significant upfront investment with unclear long-term operational funding mechanisms
  • Privacy and data security: Collecting medication information from residents raises concerns about personal health data protection and potential misuse
  • Pharmaceutical industry opposition: Drug manufacturers may resist programs that enable generic redistribution or resale, affecting their market share and profits
  • Liability and safety standards: Questions remain about storage, handling, quality assurance, and who bears responsibility if redistributed medications cause harm
  • Equity and access: Unclear whether recovered medications would benefit low-income populations or primarily serve state budget interests

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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