Difference between Shelf Life & Expiration Date of Medicines
Difference between Shelf Life & Expiration Date of Medicines
Most of us may not be able to tell the difference between shelf life and expiry date and some think both are the same. Let us Understand the Purpose of Shelf life and expiration date so that you can easily understand and differentiate them with the help of this article.
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- Shelf Life:
- It is the time period during which a drug product is expected to remain effective and safe to use.
- Shelf life is about how long the product will work as intended.
- During shelf life product can be used.
- Expiration Date:
- It is the specific date after which the product should not be used.
- After crossing the expiry date, the drug product should not be used
- It is not effective as intended after expiry like may be spoiled, not effective and not safeDuration vs. Fixed Date:
- Shelf Life: For example, a drug might have a shelf life of 2 years if stored properly. This says it can be stored for 2 years.
- Expiration Date: This is an exact date printed on the product packaging, such as “Use by December 31, 2024.” After this date, the product should not be used.
- Flexibility:
- Shelf Life: Under ideal storage conditions (like keeping a drug in a cool, dry place), the shelf life might be maintained or even extended.
- Expiration Date: Once expiration date is crossed, the product should not be used, regardless of how it was stored.
Examples for Clear Understanding:
- Shelf Life: Imagine you buy a bottle of medicine. The manufacturer says it has a shelf life of 2 years, meaning it should work well and be safe for up to 2 years if stored properly.
- Expiration Date: On the bottle, there’s a label that says, “Expires December 31, 2024.” This means after this date, you should not use the medicine because it might not be safe.