Why is it important to check medication expiration dates?

• A. Expired meds may be ineffective or unsafe; they should be removed from inventory and replaced.
• B. Expired meds are acceptable if the bottle is unopened.
• C. Expiration dates only matter for controlled substances.
• D. Expiring means potency is increased.

Answer: (A)

Expiration dates matter because medications must be both effective and safe for residents. Over time, chemical changes can reduce a drug’s potency or create degradation products that could be harmful. Using something past its date increases the chance that the medicine won’t work as intended or could cause an adverse reaction, which is why expired meds should be removed from inventory and replaced with fresh stock. This applies to all medications, not just controlled substances, and unopened status does not make an expired product safe. Potency does not increase with time, so proper stock rotation and disposal help ensure residents receive accurate, safe treatments.