[e-drug] Can expired drug still can be used?

["Dr. Noorizan Abdul Aziz" <naa@usm.my>]

E-DRUG: Can expired drug still can be used?
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Dear e-drug colleagues,

I came across a case of prepacked drug dated 9/2004 at the pharmacy. Then my students asked whether the drug can still be used for the patient. The students thought it could be used until the end of September but the pharmacist said it can be used up 1-2 months from the stated expired date and for IV medications could be used longer then that. She said she obtained the information from the manufacturer. But my comment to my students (not in front of the pharmacist) that this medication should be used the latest at mid-of Sept. I advise my students not to used expired medication because we are not sure about the efficacy and it also possible it may change to other compound which may pose a danger to the patient.

Please to share and get comments from our colleague on this issue.

Thank you,

Noorizan Abd.Aziz M.Sc(radiopharmacy) ,Pharm.D.
Discipline of Clinical Pharmacy,
School of Pharmacy,
Universiti Sains Malaysia.
11800,Pulau Pinang Malaysia

[Moderator’s comment: The expiry date is the last day at which the manufacturer can be sure that the drug is OK. In principle the drugs should not be used after that date (end September, rather than mid September). If a pharmacist gets permission from the manufacturer that the drugs can be used after the expiry date, the manufacturer should have evidence (eg longer stability studies) to back up the new expiry date.
Obviously the drugs won’t become suddenly toxic on 1 October, but one should maintain this principle of expiry dates unless in emergencies. The use of expired drugs is then at the risk of the health worker using it, and the patient should know this. In some countries using expired drugs is illegal.
It may be better to improve drug supply management and get fresh drugs rather than spending time trying to prolong their lifespan?
Wilbert Bannenberg]