As an expiration date approaches, what should the pharmacy technician ensure is done with medication?

As the expiration date of a medication approaches, the pharmacy technician should ensure that the medication is used. This is important for several reasons, primarily concerning patient safety and medication waste management.

Medications that are near their expiration date are still effective up until that date, assuming they have been stored correctly. Utilizing these medications helps to minimize waste and ensures that patients receive their treatments without delay. It is also a responsible practice, as it makes the best use of existing stock and supports efficient pharmacy operations.

While there are other considerations for medications nearing their expiration, such as returning to the wholesaler or destroying them when they are past the expiration date, using them while they are still effective helps avoid unnecessary losses and supports patient care.