Pharmacies should not sell expired drugs, as it is against the law and poses potential risks to patients' health. The expiration date on medications is carefully determined by the manufacturer based on stability testing and represents the last date the drug is expected to be safe and effective when stored properly.
Expired drugs can lose their potency and efficacy, and in some cases, they may even degrade into harmful substances. Using expired medications can lead to unpredictable effects, inadequate treatment of medical conditions, or potential adverse reactions.
To ensure patient safety, pharmacies are required to remove expired medications from their inventory regularly. Once drugs reach their expiration date, they are typically returned to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or a third-party reverse distributor for proper disposal.
In some cases, pharmacies might also have disposal programs for unused or expired medications to help prevent environmental contamination or accidental misuse. This may involve designated drop-off locations or guidelines for safe disposal at home, such as through medication take-back programs.
Overall, the aim is to prevent the sale of expired drugs to consumers and to ensure that proper disposal practices are followed to protect public health and safety. If you have any expired medications at home, it's best to consult your local pharmacy or healthcare provider for guidance on proper disposal methods.