Rx Connects (Florida Prescription Drug Donation Repository)
Florida Rx Connects was created within the Florida Department of Health to facilitate the donation of certain prescription drugs and supplies to eligible patients through the creation of repositories, where eligible organizations or facilities may make such donations.
There are three key components of this program: Repositories, Donors, and Patients. Each of these components include strict guidelines as to who may be eligible to participate.
Repositories
Repositories
The following entities may participate as a repository:
- Health care practitioner’s office.
- Pharmacy.
- Hospital with a closed drug delivery system.
- Nursing home facility with a closed drug delivery system.
- Free or nonprofit health clinic that is licensed or permitted to dispense medicinal drugs in Florida.
Donors
Donors
The following entities are eligible to donate to an established repository under this program:
- Nursing home facilities with closed drug delivery systems
- Hospice facilities that have maintained control of a patient’s prescription drugs.
- Hospitals with closed drug delivery systems.
- Pharmacies.
- Drug manufacturers or wholesale distributors.
- Medical device manufacturers or suppliers.
- Prescribers who receive prescription drugs or supplies directly from a drug manufacturer, wholesale distributor, or pharmacy.
Patients
Patients
Eligibility requirements for patients:
- Have a family income that is below 200% of the federal poverty level as defined by the most recently revised poverty income guidelines, according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services OR uninsured or underinsured.
- Be a resident of Florida
- Have a valid prescription for a donated drug
- Complete and submit a Florida Rx Connects Patient Application and Dispensing form
Immunity from Liability and Disciplinary Action
Any donor of prescription drugs or supplies and any participant in the program who exercises reasonable care in donating, accepting, distributing, or dispensing prescription drugs or supplies under the program is immune from civil or criminal liability and professional disciplinary action by the state for any injury, death, or loss to person or property relating to such activities.
A pharmaceutical manufacturer who exercises reasonable care is not liable for any claim or injury arising from the donation of any prescription drug or supply under this section, including, but not limited to, liability for failure to transfer or communicate product or consumer information regarding the donated prescription drug or supply, including its expiration date.