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HJR 37

Initiative, Referendum and Recall

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Anders and 7 co-sponsors

The bill pilots in‑home disposal systems and education to reduce unused Schedule II drugs and overdose risk, funded by a $4.88 per distribution reimbursement.

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Bill Summary · HJR 37

Summary — HJR 37: In‑Home Drug Disposal Pilot Program

Purpose

HJR 37 directs the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, in consultation with the Board of Pharmacy, to design and run a pilot program testing the effectiveness of in‑home prescription drug disposal systems and associated medication safety education as a strategy to reduce unused controlled‑substances diversion and opioid‑related harm.

Key provisions

  • Defines key terms:
    • "Eligible patient" — individuals receiving a Schedule II controlled substance prescription who are at elevated risk of overdose, receiving an initial or short‑term (acute) Schedule II prescription, or experiencing a dosage change.
    • "In‑home drug disposal system" — a site‑of‑use product that physically alters a drug formulation and renders active ingredients unusable, nontoxic, nonhazardous, environmentally safer, and less susceptible to misuse.
    • "Medication safety information" — educational materials tailored to patients about in‑home disposal, safe storage, and risks from keeping unused/expired/off‑therapy drugs.
  • Pilot program requirements:
    • Operate from January 1, 2026, through November 1, 2027.
    • Track the number of in‑home drug disposal systems distributed by participating pharmacies.
    • Monitor local health data for changes in opioid‑related overdoses and deaths.
    • Require the Cabinet to submit a report by December 1, 2027, to the Legislative Research Commission for referral to the Interim Joint Committee on Health Services. The report must list participating pharmacy locations; describe distribution activities; include pharmacy survey data on patient demographics, medication types, and effective use; and present performance measures (e.g., participation rates and pharmacist engagement).
  • Reimbursement: Establishes a pharmacy reimbursement of $4.88 per distribution (one payment covering both medication safety information and an in‑home disposal system) and calls for a cooperative implementation plan between the Cabinet and the Board of Pharmacy.
  • Clarification: Pharmacists not enrolled in the pilot may still dispense controlled substances, distribute in‑home disposal systems, or provide medication safety information under existing law (KRS 218A.170).

Who is affected

  • Eligible patients receiving Schedule II prescriptions (initial, acute, dosage changes, or at‑risk individuals).
  • Community and retail pharmacies that opt to participate.
  • Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Board of Pharmacy (administration, data collection, reporting).
  • Potentially public health systems if the pilot affects local opioid overdose trends.

Timeline & reporting

  • Pilot period: Jan 1, 2026 – Nov 1, 2027.
  • Final report due: Dec 1, 2027, to the Legislative Research Commission for committee review.

Potential impacts & considerations

  • Intended to reduce home stockpiles of unused Schedule II drugs, lowering diversion and overdose risk.
  • Small per‑unit reimbursement ($4.88) aims to incentivize pharmacy participation; funding source and appropriations are not specified in the resolution text.
  • Evaluation depends on pharmacy participation and the quality of local overdose data; the pilot’s short (~22‑month) window may limit ability to detect community‑level outcome changes.
  • Does not restrict voluntary dispensing of disposal systems or educational materials outside the pilot.

Procedural status & sponsor

  • Classification: Joint resolution.
  • Sponsor: Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit (primary).
  • Status: Referred to Health Services (House). Introduced (filed) 2025.

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

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