Everything you need to know before choosing to use expired medical supplies.

Medical supplies, like medications and vaccines, have an expiration date that indicates the manufacturer's guarantee of potency, safety, and effectiveness. The expiration date is determined through extensive testing, and it is a legal requirement for all medical supplies to have an expiration date. However, there are situations where it may be acceptable to use expired medical supplies.

According to the Food and Drugs Administration, there is no federal law in the United States requiring expiration dates on medical devices. However, the FDA says that medical device manufacturers must validate the shelf life of their products and establish expiration dates if appropriate.

Expired medical supplies are a common concern for healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers. The expiration date on medical supplies is a critical factor in ensuring their efficacy and safety. Medical supplies that have expired can lose their potency, degrade in quality, and may become unsafe to use. In this article, we will explore when it is okay to use expired medical supplies.

Expiration dates and soon to expired medical supplies

The expiration date on a medical supply refers to the date after which the manufacturer no longer guarantees the quality and safety of the product. Most medical supplies come with an expiration date that is determined by the manufacturer, based on the stability and effectiveness of the product.

The expiration date is usually determined through extensive testing, and it is a legal requirement that all medical supplies have an expiration date. This is to ensure that the medical supplies are used within their intended timeframe and that they remain safe and effective for the patient.

For non-application drugs, such as over-the-counter monograph products, the manufacturer must also conduct stability testing to establish an expiration date and storage conditions to meet FDA’s regulations (see 21 CFR 211.166 as well as related sections 211.137 and 211.160) -FDA

Factors to consider

While the expiration date is an important consideration when using medical supplies, there are other factors to consider as well. The first is the storage conditions of the medical supply. Medical supplies that are not stored properly may degrade faster than those that are stored in the right conditions.

Secondly, the type of medical supply should also be considered. Some medical supplies, such as bandages, may have a longer shelf life than others, such as medications or vaccines. The use of expired medical supplies may also depend on the condition being treated, the patient's age, and their medical history.

When it's okay to use expired or soon to expired medical supplies

In some situations, it may be okay to use expired medical supplies. For example, during a natural disaster or in a warzone, healthcare providers may have to use expired supplies as a last resort when there are no alternatives available. In these cases, it's important to weigh the risks and benefits of using the expired supplies and to use them with caution.

Another situation where it may be okay to use expired medical supplies is when the supply is still within the acceptable range of potency. This is especially true for medications like aspirin and antibiotics, which can still be effective after their expiration date has passed. However, this should be determined by a healthcare professional, and not by the patient or caregiver. However, the FDA pointed out that there is a FDA’s guidance for industry, “Changes to an Approved NDA or ANDA” explains that the manufacturer of an approved drug product may extend the expiration date for the drug product based on their own testing and acceptable data in accordance with a protocol approved in the new drug application (NDA) or abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) (see 21 CFR 314.70). To help alleviate drug shortages, FDA has also approved extensions of expiration dates when data supporting the extension are available.

When It's Not okay to use expired medical supplies

In some situations, it's not okay to use expired medical supplies. For example, when the expired supply is critical to the patient's health, like an EpiPen or insulin, using an expired supply can lead to serious health complications or even death. It's also not okay to use expired supplies when there are viable alternatives available, like using a new medication instead of an expired one.

There are situations where it is not okay to use expired medical supplies. This includes situations where the medical supply is critical to the patient's health, such as in the case of medications or vaccines. The use of expired medical supplies in these cases can lead to serious health complications, and even death.

It is also not okay to use expired medical supplies when there are viable alternatives available. This includes situations where the expired medical supply is being used as a convenience rather than a necessity. In these cases, it is important to use the viable alternative rather than risking the use of an expired medical supply.

Conclusion

The use of expired medical supplies is a complex issue that requires careful consideration. While there are situations where it may be acceptable to use expired medical supplies, there are also situations where it is not okay. It is important to consider the expiration date, storage conditions, and the type of medical supply when deciding whether or not to use an expired medical supply. When in doubt, always consult with a healthcare professional.

Source
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/pharmaceutical-quality-resources/expiration-dates-questions-and-answers