Expiration date

Expiration date

The expiration date (pronounced: ex-pi-ra-tion date), also known as expiry date, is a term used in the medical field to indicate the date after which a product, such as a medication or medical device, may not be used due to potential changes in its safety or effectiveness.

Etymology

The term "expiration date" originates from the Latin word "expirare" which means "to breathe out" or "to die", and the Middle English word "date" which refers to a specific day. In this context, it refers to the "death" or end of a product's guaranteed effectiveness.

Related Terms

• Shelf life: The length of time that a commodity may be stored without becoming unfit for use or consumption. It is often used in conjunction with or as a synonym for expiration date.
• Product dating: The practice of marking a product with a date indicating when it should no longer be sold or used. This is often done for perishable goods, but also applies to medical products.
• Batch number: A designation printed on the packaging of pharmaceutical products for identification and traceability. It is often used in conjunction with the expiration date.
• Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP): A system for ensuring that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards. GMP guidelines often dictate how expiration dates should be determined and displayed.

Usage in Medicine

In medicine, the expiration date is a critical piece of information that helps ensure patient safety. Medications and medical devices may lose their effectiveness after the expiration date, potentially leading to reduced therapeutic effect or even harm to the patient. Therefore, healthcare professionals must always check the expiration date before using any medical product.

Regulations

Regulations regarding expiration dates vary by country and product type. In many jurisdictions, it is a legal requirement for pharmaceutical manufacturers to determine and display the expiration date on their products. This is typically done through stability testing, which assesses how the quality of a drug varies with time under the influence of environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and light.

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