Sirum (YC W15) Recycles Unused Medicines to Save Money and Lives

ajiang wrote: post #4

An incredible idea. Very proud to see new sustainable models for nonprofits going through YC, especially ones that actually save lives.

Thanks. We do think financial sustainability is one of the most important ways for nonprofits to keep focused on their mission and scale their impact.

Re: Sirum (YC W15) Recycles Unused Medicines to Save Money and Lives

#6

Post by aareet » Fri, Mar 20, 2015, 11:34 PM UTC

Very cool, I love this new stream of nonprofits from YC.

I'm curious about a couple of things: Do you repackage the medicines before shipping them? Do you currently just handle tablets or also other forms (insulin for example, that may have to be refrigerated)?

Re: Sirum (YC W15) Recycles Unused Medicines to Save Money and Lives

#7

Post by imaginenore » Fri, Mar 20, 2015, 11:35 PM UTC

How does one verify that the returned/donated drug is actually that drug?

Re: Sirum (YC W15) Recycles Unused Medicines to Save Money and Lives

#8

Post by akircher » Fri, Mar 20, 2015, 11:40 PM UTC

aareet wrote: post #6

Very cool, I love this new stream of nonprofits from YC. I'm curious about a couple of things: Do you repackage the medicines before shipping them? Do you currently just handle tablets or also other forms (insulin for example, that may have to be refrigerated)?

Most of the medication is donated in its original packaging. In most states the recipient can then repackage so the patient gets a normal amber vial just like any other source.

We do donate a lot of injections, patches, and inhalations. Currently we are not able to do refrigerated medicine like insulin, but are working on cold-chain shipping so hope to offer that soon.

Re: Sirum (YC W15) Recycles Unused Medicines to Save Money and Lives

#9

Post by akircher » Fri, Mar 20, 2015, 11:45 PM UTC

imaginenore wrote: post #7

How does one verify that the returned/donated drug is actually that drug?

State laws have a lot of safeguards built-in to ensure all the medicine is safe. For example, all the medicine donated must be checked by a pharmacist to ensure that it is unopened, unexpired, from an eligible licensed facility. We also use a bar code scanner to enter and identify the medicine before it is sent.

Re: Sirum (YC W15) Recycles Unused Medicines to Save Money and Lives

#10

Post by toomuchtodo » Sat, Mar 21, 2015, 12:27 AM UTC

akircher wrote: post #5

ajiang wrote: post #4

An incredible idea. Very proud to see new sustainable models for nonprofits going through YC, especially ones that actually save lives.

Thanks. We do think financial sustainability is one of the most important ways for nonprofits to keep focused on their mission and scale their impact.

What do you think about the idea of a non-profit generic drug manufacturer?

I've always thought Medicare would jump at the idea of slashing its drug costs, but undertaking something like this is a crazy huge project.