Use of Expired Drugs: Patients Benefits versus Industry Interest

Abstract

The question of the use of expired medication is a constant debate of many years most especially in a difficult environment. In this research, a literature review and reported practice of some countries are used. Findings show that some medications, if properly stored, remain safe to use after the expiry date and this sometimes could be extended by many years. However, the pharmaceutical manufacturers have an interest in producing products with short shelf life. To dispose of expired ones is to generate a sale and therefore put the profit into the improvement and development of new products for the benefit of medicine.

This paper emphasizes the benefit of use of some drugs after expiration and the interest for the pharmaceutical industry to dispose of expired drugs and to shorten their shelf life.