MEDICINE EXPIRY: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!!
By Pharmacist Saini Kennedy L.

Medicines help us treat illness, relieve symptoms, and prevent complications—but only when they are safe and effective. One simple habit protects you and your family: always check the expiry date.

What is medicine expiry?
A medicine’s expiry date is the last date the manufacturer can guarantee the product will remain safe and work as intended, if stored correctly (for example, protected from heat, moisture, and light).

After expiry, a medicine may:
– Lose strength (become less effective)
– Change quality (colour, smell, texture)
– In some cases, break down into harmful by-products
– Increase the risk of treatment failure (especially for infections and chronic conditions)

Why is it important to check expiry?
Checking expiry helps you avoid:
– Poor treatment results (e.g., fever/pain not improving, infection not clearing)
– Worsening illness, disability or death due to delayed effective treatment
– Side effects from degraded products
– Using medicines that were stored incorrectly for too long

This matters even more for medicines used in children, pregnancy, elderly patients, and for serious conditions (asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, high blood pressure, infections).

How to read common expiry labels (with examples)

1) Exp: 31/12/2025
This means the medicine can be used safely up to or expires on 31 December 2025.
In practice, it should not be used after that date.

2) Exp: 12/2025
This usually means the medicine expires at the end of December 2025.
So it is considered usable up to 31/12/2025, and not after.

If you’re unsure how to interpret a format, ask your pharmacist—date styles can differ by manufacturer.

3) Use by: 31/12/2025

Use by” is a strong safety instruction. It means:
– the product should be used no later than that date
– and it’s especially common on items where quality and safety are critical

If the date has passed: do not use it.

4) Best before: 31/12/2025
Best before” is commonly used for products where quality may slowly reduce over time (often supplements or non-medicine health products). It means:
– best quality is guaranteed until that date
– after that date, it may lose quality (taste/texture/potency), and you should seek advice before using

For any product intended to treat or prevent disease, when in doubt, treat “best before” like an expiry and ask a pharmacist.

Expiry date vs. “after opening” dates
Even if the pack expiry date is still valid, some products expire sooner once opened.

Common examples:
Eye drops: many should be discarded about 28 days after opening (unless the label states otherwise).
Insulin: often has a limited in-use period after opening (varies by brand).
Antibiotic syrups/suspensions (after mixing): commonly last 7–14 days depending on the product; some require refrigeration.

Always check:
– the leaflet
– the box label
– or ask your pharmacist to write the “discard after” date on the bottle.

Storage affects expiry (a lot)
A medicine kept in poor conditions may lose quality before its printed expiry date.

Avoid:
– storing medicines in a hot car
– keeping them near stoves, windows, or direct sunlight
– storing in humid bathrooms
– leaving products open where moisture can enter

For refrigerated medicines, keep them in the fridge (not freezer) unless instructed otherwise.

Safety tips for patients and families
– Check the expiry date before every use, especially for children’s medicines.
– Do not use expired medicines, even if they “look fine.”
– Keep medicines in their original packaging (box/blister) so the date and batch number remain available.
– If the date is rubbed off, missing, or unclear, don’t guess, ask a pharmacist.
– Write the opening date on eye drops, syrups, and creams; follow “discard after opening” guidance.
– Don’t mix old and new tablets in one container—this hides expiry dates and increases confusion.
– Store safely: cool, dry place; out of reach of children.
– Return unwanted/expired medicines to a pharmacy for safe disposal (do not flush or throw into open waste where children can access).
– If you suspect you’ve taken an expired medicine and feel unwell, or your condition isn’t improving, seek medical advice promptly.

Need help checking your medicines?
If you’re unsure about an expiry date format, storage, or whether a product is still safe to use, visit your nearest SYLKay Pharmacies today. Our team will guide you.