What should be done with expired medications?

The proper handling of expired medications is critically important for safety and compliance with legal regulations. When medications expire, their effectiveness and safety can no longer be guaranteed, which poses a risk to patients. Thus, the best practice is to dispose of them according to regulations. This typically involves following guidelines set by local, state, or federal agencies to ensure that expired medications are discarded in a safe manner that minimizes potential harm to individuals and the environment.

Disposal methods may include taking expired medications to designated take-back programs or following specific instructions provided by regulatory bodies for medication disposal. This ensures that the medications do not enter the water supply or get misused.

In contrast, other options can lead to potential risks and do not adhere to best practices in pharmacy operations. Keeping expired medications can lead to confusion and potentially administering doses that are ineffective or harmful. Returning medications to suppliers may not be allowed for expired items, as most pharmacies are responsible for the proper disposal of medications they sell. Using expired medications for training purposes could misinform trainees about drug efficacy and safety, ultimately compromising patient care and violating regulations concerning medication use.