Storage, security, fridge medicines and expiry dates

Medicines must be stored so they remain safe and effective. Poor storage can cause lost or diverted medicines, unsafe access, ineffective treatment, duplication, use of another person’s prescription or damage from incorrect temperatures.

CQC guidance for England allows medicines to be kept centrally or in an individual’s room, provided storage meets the person’s needs, choices and risk assessment. Storage must be secure and access restricted to authorised staff where required.

Storage checks staff should understand

• Security: manage cupboards, trolleys, rooms and keys according to local policy.
• Original packaging: keep medicines in their original packaging and check labels unless the local system specifies otherwise.
• Temperature: monitor storage areas in line with manufacturer instructions and local policy.
• Fridge medicines: many refrigerated medicines must be kept between 2 and 8 degrees C; act promptly if temperatures go out of range.
• Fridge records: care homes should record medicine fridge temperatures at least daily and include current, minimum and maximum readings when required.
• Expiry: check expiry dates and note that some liquids, eye drops, creams and certain fridge medicines expire sooner after opening.
• Separate disposal: keep unwanted, expired or stopped medicines secure and separate until they are disposed of according to policy.
• Self-administration: support people who manage their own medicines with storage that preserves independence while preventing unsafe access by others.

Never give a medicine prescribed for one person to another. Never continue a medicine that has been stopped because there is remaining stock. Never use a medicine past its expiry date or after a storage failure unless a pharmacist or prescriber confirms it is safe.

Safe storage requires secure access, correct temperatures, clear labelling, in-date stock and prompt escalation when something is wrong.