Which practice helps ensure medications are used before expiry and reduces waste?

• A. Proper labeling
• B. Secure storage
• C. Adherence to stock rotation and expiry checks
• D. Segregation of high-alert meds

Answer: (C)

Adhering to stock rotation and expiry checks is the most direct way to use medications before they expire and minimize waste. By following a first-expire-first-out approach, items with the earliest dates are moved to the front and used first, while regular expiry checks identify products nearing expiry so they can be used promptly, flagged for disposal, or reordered as needed. This practice keeps inventory fresh, supports timely usage, and prevents unnecessary disposal of expired drugs. While labeling, secure storage, and segregation of high-alert meds are important for safety and organization, they don’t specifically prevent expiry-related waste in the way systematic rotation and expiry monitoring do.