When was the last time you reached for painkillers or antibiotics in your medicine cabinet, only to realize they had expired years ago? Many people face this situation and wonder whether expired medicine is still safe to use. While it may seem harmless, taking expired medication can pose serious health risks, while improper disposal can have severe environmental consequences.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers determine expiration dates based on extensive stability testing, ensuring that medications remain effective and safe for use within a specific period. Once a drug passes its expiry date, it begins to degrade, losing potency and, in some cases, becoming harmful. For medicines that require precise dosages—such as antibiotics, insulin, or heart disease medications—reduced effectiveness can have life-threatening consequences.
One of the most concerning risks of using expired antibiotics is the potential to contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). When antibiotics lose potency, they may not fully eliminate an infection, allowing bacteria to adapt and become resistant to treatment. This global health threat makes common infections harder to treat and increases the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death. Similarly, expired medications for chronic conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, may not work effectively, putting patients at risk of serious complications.
In some cases, expired drugs can break down into harmful compounds. A good example is ciprofloxacin, a commonly used antibiotic that degrades into toxic byproducts, potentially damaging the kidneys and posing environmental hazards if not properly disposed of. Liquid medications, including cough syrups and eye drops, become particularly unsafe after expiration because their preservatives lose effectiveness, increasing the risk of bacterial contamination.
Apart from the risks of taking expired medicine, improper storage and disposal create additional dangers. Medications that are left in unmarked containers or within easy reach of children increase the chances of accidental ingestion. Expired drugs that lose potency can also lead to overdoses, as individuals may take higher doses in an attempt to achieve relief.
Disposing of medication safely is just as important as using it responsibly. However, many people simply throw expired medicines in the trash or flush them down the toilet, unaware of the environmental consequences. Pharmaceuticals that enter landfills can leach into the soil and groundwater, contaminating drinking water sources. Flushing medicines introduces these substances directly into wastewater systems, where they often bypass standard treatment processes and pollute rivers, lakes, and oceans. These pollutants can disrupt aquatic ecosystems, harm wildlife, and potentially contribute to antimicrobial resistance in bacteria present in water sources.
To address these concerns, proper disposal methods must be followed. The safest way to dispose of expired medicine is through official drug take-back programs, which allow individuals to return unused or expired medications to pharmacies or designated collection sites. In countries like South Africa, the South African Pharmacy Council requires pharmacists to handle medicine disposal and issue a certificate of destruction, ensuring compliance with regulations. However, studies indicate that only a fraction of healthcare facilities follow these protocols, highlighting the need for greater awareness and improved pharmaceutical waste management.
In regions where take-back programs are not available, alternative disposal methods should be used. If necessary, expired medicines can be mixed with unappealing substances like used coffee grounds or cat litter and sealed in a plastic bag before disposal. This method prevents accidental ingestion and keeps pharmaceuticals out of the water supply, reducing environmental risks. However, it is only a temporary solution, and more sustainable disposal systems should be established.
Growing concerns surrounding expired medicine underscore the need for better public awareness, regulatory measures, and environmental responsibility. By ensuring safe medication use and proper disposal, individuals can help mitigate health risks, prevent accidental poisoning, and protect the environment from pharmaceutical pollution.