SAFE STORAGE OF MEDICINES AT HOME
UNDERSTANDING SAFE STORAGE OF MEDICINES AT HOME
By Pharmacist Saini Kennedy L.
Medicines help us prevent, treat, and manage illness, but only when they are stored correctly. Poor storage can reduce a medicine’s effectiveness, increase side effects, or lead to accidental poisoning (especially in children). This guide will help you store medicines safely at home and know when to seek advice.
Why proper storage matters
Medicines can be damaged by heat, moisture, light, and air. Some can also become unsafe if used past their expiry date or if mixed up with other people’s medicines. Safe storage protects your family and helps your treatment work as intended.
1) Choose the right storage place
Best option: a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, and out of reach of children.
Avoid storing medicines in:
Bathrooms (humidity from showers can damage tablets/capsules).
Kitchens near stoves/sinks (heat and moisture fluctuate).
Cars or window sills (high temperatures and sunlight can degrade medicines).
Tip: A high shelf in a bedroom or hallway cupboard is often better than a bathroom cabinet provided it is dry and secure.
2) Keep medicines out of children’s reach and sight
Children can swallow medicines quickly and silently.
Use these safety steps:
Store medicines in a locked cupboard or container (First Aid Box) if possible.
Keep them up high, not on tables, handbags, or bedside stands.
Use child-resistant packaging, but remember it is not child-proof.
If a child may have swallowed medicine, seek urgent help immediately (emergency services).
3) Store medicines in their original containers
Keep medicines in the original packaging (blister pack/bottle and carton) because it contains:
Correct name and strength
Directions and warnings
Expiry date and batch information
Storage instructions (e.g., “Store below 25°C,” “Protect from light”)
Avoid transferring tablets into unlabelled jars or mixing different tablets in one bottle, this increases dosing errors.
4) Follow “special storage” instructions
Some medicines require extra care:
Refrigerated medicines (2–8°C)
Examples include some insulins, certain eye drops, and some reconstituted antibiotic suspensions after mixing. Always follow the label.
Key points:
Store in the main body of the fridge (not the door where temperature changes).
Do not freeze unless the label specifically allows it. Freezing can ruin many medicines.
Medicines sensitive to light or moisture
Keep them tightly closed and in original blister/amber container.
Liquid mixtures (reconstituted antibiotics)
Many must be discarded after a set number of days (often 7–14 days) even if some remains, check the label from the pharmacy.
5) Check expiry dates and medicine quality
Do a quick home “medicine check” every 3–6 months.
Dispose of medicines if:
It’s past the expiry date
Tablets are crumbly, discoloured, stuck together, or smell unusual
Liquids look cloudy, separated, or changed colour (unless stated as normal)
6) Safe disposal: don’t keep leftovers “just in case”
Keeping unused medicines increases the risk of:
Taking the wrong medicine later
Accidental poisoning
Antibiotic misuse (which contributes to resistance)
Best practice: return unwanted/expired medicines to a pharmacy or approved take-back program where available.
If no take-back option exists, ask your pharmacist for locally recommended disposal guidance. Avoid flushing medicines unless specifically instructed.
7) Prevent mix-ups in the home
Simple habits reduce errors:
Keep each person’s medicines separate (label a small container/basket per person).
Keep a current medicine list (name, dose, time taken, allergies).
Be cautious with look-alike/sound-alike medicines; ask your pharmacist if you’re unsure.
When to ask your pharmacist
Ask for advice if:
The label says “store below 25°C” but your home is frequently hotter
You are unsure whether a medicine needs refrigeration
You notice changes in appearance or smell
You are travelling and need guidance on safe transport/storage
Summary and take home message
Store medicines cool, dry, and secure; keep them in original packaging; follow special storage instructions; and dispose of unused medicines safely. Proper storage is a simple step that protects your family and helps your medicines work properly.
References
- World Health Organization (WHO). Guidelines on the storage of essential medicines and other health commodities (general principles on protecting products from heat, light, and moisture).
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Where and How to Dispose of Unused Medicines and consumer guidance on medicine storage.
- National Health Service (NHS, UK). How to store medicines (consumer storage guidance).
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Up and Away and Out of Sight (poison prevention and safe storage messaging).
- World Health Organization (WHO). Antimicrobial resistance – public health guidance on responsible antibiotic use.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Collection and Disposal of Unwanted Medicines (environmentally safer disposal guidance).
