Medications packaged in unit dose form within a pharmacy must be given an expiration date of which option or the actual date of expiration, whichever comes first, and must not be repackaged.

Medications packaged in unit dose form within a pharmacy must be given an expiration date of which option or the actual date of expiration, whichever comes first, and must not be repackaged.

• A. 1 year
• B. 6 months
• C. 2 years
• D. 90 days

Answer: (A)

When drugs are repackaged into unit-dose form in a pharmacy, the expiration date assigned must be the earlier of the actual expiration date on the product or one year from the date of repackaging. This rule protects potency and safety because repackaging can alter stability, so you can’t extend beyond a year from packaging. If the manufacturer’s expiration date is sooner, that earlier date governs; if it’s later than a year, you still use one year from packaging. The instruction that these units must not be repackaged again reinforces the need for rigorous control and traceability. Among the options, one year is the correct maximum. Shorter periods like six months or ninety days are more restrictive than the rule requires, and two years would exceed the allowed shelf life.

When drugs are repackaged into unit-dose form in a pharmacy, the expiration date assigned must be the earlier of the actual expiration date on the product or one year from the date of repackaging. This rule protects potency and safety because repackaging can alter stability, so you can’t extend beyond a year from packaging. If the manufacturer’s expiration date is sooner, that earlier date governs; if it’s later than a year, you still use one year from packaging. The instruction that these units must not be repackaged again reinforces the need for rigorous control and traceability. Among the options, one year is the correct maximum. Shorter periods like six months or ninety days are more restrictive than the rule requires, and two years would exceed the allowed shelf life.