Congress could fund drop-off sites for unwanted prescription drugs

The Attorney General would award grants to open or maintain prescription drug drop-off sites. State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, prescription drug makers, and distributors, including businesses handling returns, could receive no more than 10% of yearly awards combined. Congress would need to provide funding, capped at the total opioid fees collected. Funding would be authorized for fiscal year 2027 and each later fiscal year.

Manufacturers, producers, and importers would pay a fee when they sell covered opioids. The fee would be 1 cent per 100 milligrams of controlled substances that are opium, opiates, or their derivatives. The fee would apply only to the opioid ingredient in a mixed product. Prescription drugs used exclusively for medication-based opioid addiction treatment would be excluded.

Health and Human Services would arrange discounts to keep eligible patients from paying costs passed on from the fee. Patients would qualify if prescribed opioids for pain from cancer or cancer treatment, or if receiving hospice care. After a patient's death or incapacity, an appropriate family member, medical representative, or estate could qualify. The department could recognize similar situations and would have to minimize the burden on patients. Discounts would apply when patients pay for or purchase covered opioids.