Forget about tossing that unopened bottle of penicillin into the garbage. Certain states are now accepting donations of sealed prescription medications that will find a new home with individuals who may not otherwise be able to afford them. The donated meds benefit those without medical insurance, who often choose to forego medication altogether because of the cost.

While some states accept donations from people, others will only accept drugs from doctor's offices or assisted-living homes. The types of drugs received by the programs include antibiotics, antidepressants and blood thinners.

"There are millions of dollars of unused meds out there that have not been captured," said Linda Johnston, director of social services for Tulsa County.

These recycling programs are a relatively new concept, but experts predict they could grow double or triple in growth if medical costs continue to increase. They also say that providing medication to those in need may prevent future costs that occur from hospital visits and emergency care if conditions are not properly treated in a timely manner. A 2006 Commonweath Fund study showed that 59 per cent of people who suffered chronic conditions but did not have health insurance skipped medication dosages or went without drugs completely because they were too expensive.

"We do know that the cost of not providing medications has a large ripple effect and impact on our community whether it's going to the emergency room, whether it's going to a nursing home early, dying early, missing school. If we don't get medicines to people who need them for their mental illnesses, they become homeless, they end up in jail," said Johnson.

» MSNBC Health