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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Gov. Bob Taft on Monday signed a bill allowing the donation of unused prescription drugs to needy Ohioans.
The new law will permit individuals or health care facilities to donate the unused drugs to a program that would give the medicine to income-eligible Ohioans through free clinics and pharmacies that volunteer to participate.
Currently, those with drugs they no longer need have no choice but to throw them away.
The bill's sponsor, Sen. Kirk Schuring, a Canton Republican, introduced the bill after hearing from Garry Beltz, a constituent with medicine leftover from his late wife's illness.
Beltz was frustrated to learn he could not donate her prescription medicine after his wife's death.
Also Monday, Taft signed a bill sponsored by Rep. Dean DePiero, a Parma Democrat, that imposes a mandatory seven-year prison term on anyone convicted of shooting a police officer. The prison term would be in addition to any other charges.
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