Many people think expiry dates on medicine strips are just formalities, but they’re actually safety deadlines. The expiry date tells us how long a medicine will stay effective and safe when stored properly. After this date, the drug may lose its strength or change chemically, which can lead to poor results or unexpected side effects. Some medicines like eye drops or insulin are even more sensitive and should be discarded earlier once opened or exposed to heat.
It’s also a myth that expired medicines are always dangerous—some may simply become less effective. But with critical drugs like antibiotics or injectables, using them past expiry can be risky and lead to treatment failure or resistance. Always check the date before taking any medicine, and store it as per label instructions. Knowing this small detail can protect your health and prevent self-medication mistakes.
MBH/AB