Wisconsin Drug Repository Program

The Drug Repository Program is a way for people who can't afford medicines to get what they need. Donors give unused medicine to participating pharmacies or medical facilities. These items then go to people with cancer or a long-term (chronic) condition. This page also lists separate organizations that accept donations of other medical supplies and equipment, which the Drug Repository Program itself does not accept. Data on this page is sourced from the Wisconsin DHS Drug Repository Program guide and may not reflect very recent changes — call ahead to confirm a site is still accepting donations.

Find a Donation Site Near You

Enter your street address, city, or ZIP code to find the nearest participating pharmacies and medical facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What prescription medicines can I donate?

These statements must be true to donate a prescription medicine as part of this program:

  • The donation includes a signed Drug Repository Program Donation Record (form F-62645B) from the donor or an authorized representative — fill it out online with our Donation Record tool, no Word document needed.
  • The drug is not adulterated or misbranded.
    • Adulterated means that the drug is either:
      • Damaged.
      • Stored the wrong way.
      • Not safe to use based on something that happened to it.
    • Misbranded means the drug had the wrong label from the start. This makes it not safe to use.
  • The drug will not expire until at least 90 days after the donation date.
  • The drug is in its original, unopened, tamper-evident packaging.
    • Tamper-evident packaging means the package is sealed.
    • Other approved packaging includes:
      • An inhaler sealed in a foil wrapper.
      • Injectable drugs with the manufacture vial cap intact.
Can I donate controlled substances?

No, you cannot donate controlled substances, such as:

  • Lorazepam
  • Morphine
  • Oxycodone

These are often used to treat pain, anxiety, and sleep issues. You can't return these to a pharmacy or medical facility based on federal law, 21 CFR 1317.35(d).

Can I donate medicines that I receive from the pharmacy in a bottle?

No, you can't donate drugs you get from the pharmacy in a bottle. This includes the common brown or amber bottles.

Where can I donate my unused prescription medicines?

You can donate unused prescription medicines to any pharmacy or medical facility listed in the site finder above. Contact a location to learn more about their specific hours and donation process.

Who can receive donated drugs?

Any person who lives in Wisconsin can receive drugs or supplies through the Drug Repository Program. The law sets priority of who gets the drugs or supplies first:

  1. Those who don't have insurance.
  2. Those who receive or qualify for Medicaid, Medicare, or other government-based health care.
  3. Everyone else who is otherwise eligible.

Learn more from Wis. Admin. Code § 148.07 (4).

Do I have to pay to get donated drugs or supplies?

You may be charged a fee at some pharmacies for the extra work they do when giving out donated drugs. This includes time spent:

  • Counseling
  • Documenting
  • Preparing

The fee can't be more than $15.

How do I know which drugs are available?

Contact a participating pharmacy or medical facility to see which drugs they have — use the site finder above for contact details.

Are there limits on what donated drugs pharmacies and medical facilities can give out?

Yes. Pharmacies and medical facilities can't give out drugs that have a restricted distribution status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

If there's a question, the pharmacy or medical facility can call the drug maker directly or visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's website. Often, the maker of a restricted distribution drug has its own return policy for unused medicine.

Why does Wisconsin have a drug repository program?

It's important for all people in Wisconsin to have access to medicine and supplies they need to fight a disease.

State law (Wis. Stat. § 255.055) also authorized DHS to set up and maintain a drug repository program. DHS was required to come up with rules for the program. Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 148 summarizes these rules.

Other Commonly Donated Medical Supplies & Equipment

The Wisconsin Drug Repository Program only accepts unused prescription medicines. For other unneeded medical supplies and equipment, the organizations below are common donation destinations. Always call or check the organization's website before dropping off or shipping — acceptance rules change often.

Unused Prescription Medications

Destination: Use the site finder above — this is the Wisconsin Drug Repository Program itself (Act 231 / AB62), not a referral to another organization.

Form: Fill out the Donation Record (F-62645B) online with our Donation Record tool — no Word document needed.

Blood Glucose Meters, Test Strips & Insulin
  • Insulin for Life USA — iflusa.org, (352) 327-8649
    • Unopened test strips (3+ months to expiration)
    • Meters in excellent working condition, only for models the manufacturer still supports with strips
    • Insulin: refrigerated, unopened, 3+ months to expiration
    • Ships to vetted clinics/providers only, not individuals
  • Diabetes Foundation – Supply Repository — diabetesfoundationinc.org
    • Unopened, unexpired test strips, meters, lancing devices; remove Rx labels first
  • CR3 Diabetes Association — cr3diabetesassociation.org
    • Meters, test strips, insulin pumps, pump supplies, several CGM brands
Insulin Pens, Pen Needles & Syringes
CPAP / BiPAP Machines & Supplies
  • Wellness, Sleep and Circadian Network (formerly ASAA) — sleephealth.org
    • Gently used PAP machines, data-capable, from a smoke-free home
    • Unopened supplies (masks, tubing, chambers, filters) in original packaging
  • SecondWind CPAP — secondwindcpap.com, (855) 263-2727
    • Machines in any condition (refurbished or parted out), new unopened supplies
  • Health Equipment Recycling Organization (HERO) — search current intake info
Oxygen Concentrators, Tubing & Nebulizer Supplies
  • World Medical Relief — worldmedicalrelief.org
    • Oxygen concentrators, oxygen/nebulizer supplies, tubing, suction machines/supplies
    • Consumables generally need 1+ year to expiration
  • Project C.U.R.E. — projectcure.org
    • Oxygen concentrators, other home health equipment; national warehouse network
Catheters, Ostomy & Wound Care Supplies
  • Advocates for World Health — awhealth.org
    • Urinary catheters, ostomy supplies, incontinence products, wound dressings, IV/catheter supplies
  • World Medical Relief — worldmedicalrelief.org
    • IV infusion supplies, catheters, tubing, wound/dressing supplies, sterile unopened needles/syringes
Incontinence Supplies / Adult Briefs
  • World Medical Relief — worldmedicalrelief.org
  • Local senior centers and loan closets often accept unopened packages directly
Nebulizers, Inhalers, BP Monitors, Pulse Oximeters
  • World Medical Relief (nebulizer supplies specifically)
  • Local loan closets sometimes take BP monitors/pulse oximeters as small durable items
Hearing Aids
  • Lions Club hearing aid recycling programs (local chapter)
  • Hearing Charities of America
Eyeglasses
  • Lions Club eyeglass recycling (local chapter)
  • Most optical retailers have in-store collection boxes
Compression Stockings

Fold into the general DME/local loan closet channel; no dedicated national org identified.

General DME – Wheelchairs, Walkers, Canes, Shower Chairs, Commodes (Dane County, local, usually free)
  • NewBridge Madison – Loan Closet — (608) 512-0000
    • Serves Madison/Monona residents, Mon–Thu 9am–3pm, Cottage Grove Rd location
  • Access to Independence — (608) 242-8484 / (800) 362-9877
    • Madison-based, listed DME donation site via WI ForwardHealth
  • Agrace Durable Medical Equipment Recycling — agrace.org
    • Maintains an updated list of loan closets across southern Wisconsin by town
    • Agrace Thrift Stores (Madison, Janesville) take lift chairs in good condition
Heavier Equipment – Hospital Beds, Lift Chairs, Electric Wheelchairs/Scooters

Same local loan closets as above, but confirm pickup logistics/refurb capacity per item — these often have separate acceptance rules from smaller equipment.

General Rules Across All Categories

  • Call/check the website before dropping off or shipping — acceptance rules change often
  • Most programs require unopened, unused, unexpired items; opened packaging is almost never accepted (infection control)
  • Never donate used sharps (needles, lancets) — use approved sharps disposal, never trash or a donation box
  • Mail-in national programs: the donor typically covers shipping
  • Local Dane County options: typically free drop-off