Redistribution of Unused Pharmaceuticals from Hospitals to Safety-Net Clinics in New Jersey

Abstract

U.S. health care facilities dispose of billions of dollars of usable surplus medical supplies each year. At the same time, safety net clinics that serve the country's uninsured and underserved populations are unable to a ord medications to provide adequate care for their patients. The aim of this project is to design an algorithm for use in a web application to optimally redistribute unused pharmaceuticals from hospitals to safety net clinics in New Jersey, taking into account transportation costs, expiration dates, and the supply and demand of various medications. This would allow millions of Americans to receive the medications they need, reduce the costs and time necessary for drug destruction, and decrease the impact of pharmaceutical waste on the environment.