The California Department of Health has issued an All Facilities Letter clarifying the requirements for donating unused medications by skilled nursing facilities. These facilities can donate unused prescription medication to authorized county repository and distribution programs, subject to certain requirements. Donated medications must not be controlled substances, adulterated, misbranded, or stored improperly, and they must not have been in the possession of a patient or the public. Donations are only eligible if the medication is in an unopened, tamper-evident package or modified unit dose container with the lot number and expiration date attached. Skilled nursing facilities will not be subject to criminal or civil liability for injury caused when donating prescription drugs in compliance with these requirements. Facilities should refer to the full text of the Health & Safety Code Sections 150200-150207 to ensure compliance.

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