How is the expiration date determined for drugs taken from unit dose packages?

The expiration date for drugs taken from unit dose packages is determined based on the original expiration date of the medication. When repackaging, the pharmacy must ensure that the integrity and efficacy of the drug are maintained. The approach where the expiration date is set to no more than 25% of the remaining time until the original expiration date ensures that the medication does not expire prematurely and remains safe and effective for patient use.

This method aligns with guidelines established to promote patient safety and drug efficacy. By using the original expiration date as a baseline, the pharmacy can avoid potential risks associated with providing medications that may not be effective or safe if used beyond a certain duration.

The other options present alternative approaches, but they do not offer a standardized or safety-focused method for determining expiration dates after repackaging. For example, setting the expiration to one year from the date of repackaging could override safety concerns related to the original expiration, and relying solely on pharmacy policy may lead to inconsistencies across different institutions. Similarly, using the expiration date on the unit dose package overlooks the need for careful consideration of the remaining shelf life of the medication once it has been repackaged.