The Food and Drug Administration began requiring manufacturers of prescription drugs to stamp an expiration date on all their products in 1979. In most cases, these dates may be anywhere between 12 to 60 months from the date they were initially produced.
If prescriptions, and other pharmaceutical products are properly stored these stamped dates may be accurate; however, the consumer rarely considers what being “properly stored,” may mean. If not properly stored some medications deteriorate rapidly and may be ineffective in the treatment of a disease or illness. This can be extremely dangerous if a person has a heart condition or some other life-threatening illness that depends upon their taking the prescription to survive. At the very least, their body can be further damaged by the ineffective drug.
FDA Mandates for Drug Expirations
The FDA may need a mandate requiring pharmaceutical manufacturers to state exactly how, and for how long prescriptions must be stored to remain effective. There are some instances where a pharmacy may note that a certain drug should not be stored in high temperatures (i.e., above 72°, etc.), or in areas with “high humidity.” But even these may not be adequate warnings for the consumer. What if prescriptions are mailed to a consumer, as many are, during excessively warm temperatures so common during the summer months where temperatures easily exceed the recommended 72° for some prescriptions, or even extremely cold temperatures that fall far below the recommended temperature stated on the prescription or other pharmaceutical product?
Shaw Cowart Drug Litigation
If you or someone you love have taken a prescription drug or some other pharmaceutical product and experienced serious side effects, contact Shaw Cowart drug Litigation attorneys today to discuss your legal options.