Which practice is appropriate for medications that will expire while a patient is still taking them?

• A. Do not dispense medications that will expire while the patient is still taking them.
• B. Adjust the prescription to extend use
• C. Replace with a non-expiring alternative
• D. Provide with enhanced counseling on safety

Answer: (A)

Medications have expiration dates that reflect the period over which their potency and safety are guaranteed. If a supply would expire before the patient finishes the prescribed course, you can’t ensure it will remain effective for the full treatment. The safest practice is not to dispense a bottle that will expire during therapy; instead, work with the prescriber to adjust the quantity or duration, or to obtain a formulation with a shelf life that covers the entire course. Simply extending use, replacing with a non-expiring option, or adding counseling does not address the underlying issue of diminishing potency and potential safety concerns as expiry approaches.