*This is a partnered post. Opinions are strongly my own.
Does that title make sense to you? I thought it was crazy, until I actually read what it was all about. I was thinking, WHY would anyone be destroying unexpired, good medication when there are SO many people in the US that could use it, but just cannot afford it? It does not make sense to me, at all!
Then I did a little research and I found out about SIRUM and their mission to make access to medication affordable in the USA. Talk about a breath of fresh air! SIRUM helps to save lives by providing unopened unexpired medications to patients in need. Every year, $5 billion of drugs are wasted as medications are destroyed, flushed down the toilet or dumped! SIRUM are working towards getting health facilities, pharmacies & hospitals, manufacturers & wholesalers, and more to donate these unopened unexpired medications to people in need. Makes sense to me, right?
What Can YOU Do?
The whole point of this campaign, is to help raise awareness of the millions of people who cannot afford expensive medication in the USA. Is one of those millions of people YOU and YOUR family? Your friends? I bet you know of someone who cannot afford medication/s that they so desperately need, so they go without. I know I know of a few people and I will be forwarding this post to them as soon as I am done typing it. I am outraged to think that much-needed medications are just thrown away, destroyed! When there are people, families out there that NEED these medications. 🙁
Share YOUR Story!!!
That is right, you can SHARE YOUR STORY! SIRUM is collecting YOUR stories to share with congress. SIRUM wants to gather all of these stories and send them to US Congress on March 6th, to demand more support for programs and policies that make medicine affordable for all.
But, if you have a story to tell, you MUST share it! No one will know if you don’t share it and no one will be helped if you don’t share YOUR story!! This is so important. SIRUM has a very limited time to gather the stories from you, so it’s important to start submitting your stories asap. Nothing will change if our stories are not told, nothing. Do not hesitate to share your story, please! Let’s stop allowing these precious medications to be thrown out or destroyed, when people NEED them so badly!
Don’t Be Shy To Share Your Story!
You may be shy to submit your personal story, or leave your name, but each person can really make a difference and Washington needs to see the names and faces of the people who are struggling all across the USA.
Please submit your own story by February 28, 2015!
Stories will be sent to US Congress on March 6th 2015!
You can submit your story here
Are you one of millions of Americans who struggle to afford your medication? Help make medication affordable in the USA by sharing your story with SIRUM!
Camesha says
I hear about this struggle a bit from the elder members of my family. It’s sad that when you need medicine the most, it’s such a struggle to get it.
Latoicha says
This is a great program. The need for affordable medication is a worldwide issue. Thanks for sharing.
Tracey says
What a great way to help others in need out! It also makes me happy for my healthcare in Canada.
annb says
it is such a shame there are people that can’t get the medications they need, especially these days. it shouldn’t be that way.
Christie says
This is a great way to pay it forward! So much $ is wasted in unused perscriptions
Amanda says
What a wonderful and much needed initiative. Glad to see someone is helping people get teh meds they need!
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
When we had insurance through my husbands work (hospital insurance) it pretty much covered everything and our co pays were low or non existent. Now we have ‘affordable’ healthcare through the whole Obamacare thing because hubs is not considered per diem and gets zero benefits no matter how many hours he works. Our insurance is a joke. It doesn’t cover much and the co-pays are high as well as the deductible.
My husband can’t go without his meds or he could face a heart attack. I shouldn’t be without my meds, but I have gone without them multiple times over the years.
Anyone in need shouldn’t be turned away just because they can’t afford meds. Most of the meds are overpriced to begin with.
Kiwi says
Stories like this really breaks my heart! Absolutely no one in this country should be denied medication no matter their financial situation! America really needs to do better in the healthcare department!
Debbie Denny says
I can see how this would work so well. My medication is so expensuve. I could not have any if I did not have help. So glad they are helping those that need it.
Theresa says
My mom is a single mom to 2 grand kids. One medication she needs for one of them is $600 a month, and her insurance does not cover it. It’s really a hardship for her each month!
Rachelle J says
This is something that is SOOO important! I know how hard it is for a few of my friends to be able to afford their medicine and this would be a great way to help! Sharing!
Ora Lee Gurr says
It’s hard to think of all the wasted medicine that could be used by others. I think SIRUM will raise awareness of how to safely manage unused, unopened, unexpired prescriptions.
[email protected] says
I didn’t think about sharing those meds with people who need them. I do know to not flush them down the toilet since they get into our drinking water.
valerie g says
medications are so expensive. my dr just prescribed me one that would be $819.75 a month after insurance. i had to tell the pharmacy to not fill it. just can’t do it. i love the idea of helping others especially with medications.
Kay Adeola says
I can not understand why they would throw so much away surly it is much better to give it away free to those who need it the companies will not make money when they destroy it so give it to someone and make Their lives better.
Rosey says
Oh my gosh, medicine for those on a limited budget can be so expensive. I have never ever ever understood how it could be justified that those without the means to pay are turned away from medicine or medical care.
Jen-Eighty MPH Mom says
This is such a fantastic idea, and I am glad that old, but unused medicines that are still effective can be shared with others who can’t afford them. Genius!
Veronica says
It is so sad that people go without the healthcare they need. Good that a company is stepping up to help
Chrysa says
It is so terribly sad that so many aren’t able to get the medical care and medicine they need. It’s sad that our country lags so far behind other advanced nations.
Melissa says
I have thought of this so many times! I have thrown away so much medicine – a full bottle of Tylenol with codeine from my son’s surgery that he didn’t take. Some mom could probably use that for her kid but might not be able to afford it. Great initiative!
Stephanie says
My daughter is one of those people that has no prescription insurance, and while she isn’t elderly, she needs medication that costs her hundreds of dollars a month. Because she is away at college and makes “too much” as a grocery store cashier, she’s just over the line for the state help with insurance. It’s really sad that people are going without medications. I’m happy to hear about SIRUM.
Jeanine says
Wow, American health care always both fascinates me and scares me. I couldn’t live there because I couldn’t afford my medications! I know quite a few people who struggle!
Pam says
I’m glad to hear about Sirium. It’s so sad how many people can’t afford their medication. My daughter takes several medications monthly and luckily insurance covers most of the cost. If not, they would be too expensive.
Catherine S says
This is such a great idea. I know my grandma had a few medications that were not fully covered through Medicare and she struggled to afford it. I hope they get a lot stories and things get changed.
Sara P. (@SensiblySara) says
We are lucky to have the funds we need to pay for our medications. I like what SIRUM is doing though – it is VERY needed.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
I think this is a wonderful, and much needed, initiative. I know several families who struggle with trying to afford medications. =(
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
My health insurance covers it for us, but my Nana, who is very elderly struggles with this. She is on Medicare and they don’t cover a lot.