By Sarah Henderson
Spring is in the air! As windows are thrown open to let the fresh air in, many are inspired to do a deep cleaning around the house. As you tackle your spring cleaning tasks, make sure to give your medicine storage area be it a cabinet, shelf, drawer or closet a thorough inspection as well.
While I love the feeling of a good cleaning, I love even more the feeling I get when I look at my clean and orderly factor and supply storage! Here are some tips for spring cleaning your medicine storage:
First and foremost, store all medications in a cool, dry, and dark area that is inaccessible to children. Avoid storing in a bathroom cabinet where humidity, heat, and light can cause medications to lose their efficacy.
Check expiration dates on everything. Medications lose effectiveness and can even become toxic once expired.
Check all ancillary supplies - saline, butterfly needles, port supplies, disinfectant swabs, etc., for a printed expiration date. Yes, many supplies may also have expiration dates.
Arrange clotting factor so the boxes with the longest expiration date are in the back and factor expiring soonest is at the front to be used first. This will keep the stock fresh and lessen the chance of allowing valuable factor to go to waste. Each time a new factor order is received, place the new boxes behind the existing ones.
Take this time to double-check manufacturer recommendations on how, where, and how long to properly store clotting factor and medications.
If a pump is used to infuse, be sure to insert fresh batteries and determine if it’s time for the pump to be calibrated or updated.
Go through all medications that may be used infrequently but are just as important to always have at their best. For example, if Amicar is kept on-hand, reorder as it nears its expiration date. Then when needed, it will be available and at its best efficacy.
Check any topicals, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements as well. If there is any change in color or smell, toss it.
If a medication is not in its original container and it isn’t 100% known what it is, dispose of it.
For any medications with a “use within X days of opening,” write the date it was first opened on the lid, so it’s easy to remember when that was.
Dispose of medications properly. Here are a few suggestions on how to determine the best way to dispose of them:
The FDA offers advice on how to properly discard medications. Visit: www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm101653.htm
Law enforcement sponsors a drug take-back day where unneeded prescription medication can be safely disposed of. Contact the Drug Enforcement Agency at 1-800-882-9539 or visit their website for dates and locations: https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html
Local police stations will often properly discard old medications as well.
Many neighborhood pharmacies offer disposal programs. Visit http://disposemymeds.org to find a location near you.
Consider donating factor product that has not expired but will no longer be used to Save One Life, where it will be sent to help patients in developing countries: https://saveonelife.net/how-you-can-help/project-share
Now that the task is complete, sit back, congratulate yourself on a job well done, and relax!
References
“Where and How to Dispose of Unused Medicines.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/where-and-how-dispose-unused-medicines
Nkf. “6 Tips to Help ‘Spring Clean’ Your Medicine Cabinet.” National Kidney Foundation, 30 Mar. 2018, http://www.kidney.org/newsletter/6-tips-to-help-“spring-clean”-your-medicine-cabinet
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