2024-09-19 08:49:00
Expired but still effective drugs? According to a study published this Thursday, September 19 by theUFC-What to chooseeight out of ten drugs retain 90% of their effectiveness. The consumer association denounces “a real environmental, economic and health waste” and announces that it will contact the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) “so that it implements all measures to avoid this waste of drugs”.
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UFC-Que Choisir conducted tests on 30 boxes of tablets, capsules or sachets containing paracetamol or ibuprofen and whose expiry dates had passed. And, according to the association, the results are “clear”. “In 80% of cases, the medications contain enough active substance to be considered effective,” it says. “Our results suggest that there is no relationship between the year the medications expired and the amount of active substance still present. Proof of this is paracetamol, which is supposed to have expired since 1992 and which still contains… 100% active substance,” says UFC-Que Choisir.
Economic, environmental and health consequences
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With this news, UFC-Que Choisir deplores “worrying” findings in the face of economic, environmental and health consequences. According to the consumer association, throwing away effective medications has a financial cost for health insurance, the hospital system and patients. Also, “it generates an unnecessary increase in waste”. Finally, from a health point of view, UFC-Que Choisir regrets the “artificial” increase in demand for medications which “contributes to shortages and supply tensions”.
ALSO READ Asthma drug Ventolin is running out of stock in pharmaciesThe association says it “questions the fact that the ANSM takes a much more restrictive view than the American authorities to determine whether or not a drug retains its therapeutic virtues”. The study also raises a question about the possibility for laboratories to affix an expiry date “in a purely discretionary manner”. “Nothing obliges them to extend this date, even if they could pertinently guarantee the effectiveness of the drugs beyond it”, writes UFC-Que choisir, which wonders “if, from their point of view, economic criteria take precedence over scientific criteria”.
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– How can expired medications still be effective despite their expiration dates?
Expired but Still Effective: The Wasteful Reality of Medication Expiration Dates
When it comes to medication, expiration dates are taken as gospel. However, a recent study by French consumer association UFC-Que Choisir reveals a shocking truth: 8 out of 10 expired medications retain at least 90% of their effectiveness. This raises serious concerns about the environmental, economic, and health impact of needlessly discarding still-potent medications.
The Study: Testing the Efficacy of Expired Medications
UFC-Que Choisir conducted experiments on 30 packages of tablets, capsules, or sachets containing paracetamol or ibuprofen, all of which had surpassed their expiration dates. The results were unequivocal: 80% of the medications contained sufficient active ingredients to be considered effective. Moreover, the study found no correlation between the year of expiration and the amount of active substance remaining. In one astonishing instance, a paracetamol sample expired since 1992 still contained 100% of its active substance.
The Consequences: Economic, Environmental, and Health Waste
The findings of this study have far-reaching implications. Firstly, the unnecessary disposal of effective medications results in a significant financial burden on health insurance, hospitals, and patients. Secondly, it contributes to an avoidable increase in waste, which exacerbates environmental concerns. Lastly, the artificial demand for new medications due to the unnecessary disposal of still-effective ones worsens shortages and supply tensions, ultimately affecting public health.
A Call to Action: Reducing Waste and Ensuring Better Healthcare
In light of these findings, UFC-Que Choisir is urging the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) to implement measures to prevent this waste of medications. By reassessing expiration dates and implementing more accurate testing methods, healthcare systems can minimize the environmental, economic, and health consequences of needlessly discarding effective medications.
What Can You Do?
As a consumer, you can play a vital role in reducing medication waste. Here are a few steps you can take:
Check the expiration dates of your medications and consult with your healthcare provider before discarding them.
Consider donating unexpired medications to organizations that accept drug donations.
* Stay informed about the expiration dates of your medications and the Shelf Life Extension Program.
Conclusion
The UFC-Que Choisir study shines a light on the wasteful reality of medication expiration dates. By acknowledging the effectiveness of expired medications and taking steps to reduce waste, we can create a more sustainable, cost-effective, and health-conscious healthcare system. It’s time to rethink the way we approach medication expiration dates and work towards a future where every pill counts.
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– What are the implications of continuing to use expired medications?
Expired but Still Effective: The Surprising Truth About Medications Beyond Their Expiration Dates
[Image: A photo of medications with expired labels]
According to a recent study published by UFC-Que Choisir, a French consumer association, a staggering eight out of ten medications retain 90% of their effectiveness even after their expiration dates. This raises serious concerns about the environmental, economic, and health consequences of discarding still-effective medications.
The Study’s Findings
UFC-Que Choisir conducted tests on 30 boxes of tablets, capsules, or sachets containing paracetamol or ibuprofen that had passed their expiration dates. The results were striking: in 80% of cases, the medications contained enough active substance to be considered effective. Moreover, the study found no correlation between the year the medications expired and the amount of active substance still present. In one remarkable instance, a paracetamol medication that had expired since 1992 still contained 100% of its active substance.
Economic, Environmental, and Health Consequences
The study’s findings have significant implications for the economy, environment, and public health. Throwing away effective medications has a financial cost for health insurance, hospitals, and patients. It also generates unnecessary waste, contributing to environmental degradation. Furthermore, the artificial increase in demand for medications exacerbates shortages and supply tensions, putting a strain on the healthcare system.
Questioning the Expiration Dates
UFC-Que Choisir questions the disparity between the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) and American authorities in determining whether a medication retains its therapeutic virtues. The study also raises concerns about the possibility of laboratories affixing expiration dates in a discretionary manner, without any scientific basis. This has led to speculation about whether economic criteria take precedence over scientific criteria in determining expiration dates.
What’s Next?
In light of these findings, UFC-Que Choisir plans to contact the ANSM to implement measures to avoid waste of drugs. The consumer association is advocating for a more scientific approach to determining expiration dates, ensuring that effective medications are not discarded unnecessarily.
Conclusion
The study’s surprising results highlight the need for a more nuanced approach to medication expiration dates. By recognizing the effectiveness of medications beyond their expiration dates, we can reduce waste, alleviate economic burdens, and improve public health. It is crucial to reexamine our current practices and adopt a more evidence-based approach to ensure that patients have access to the medications they need, without compromising the environment or the economy.
Keywords: expired medications, effectiveness, environmental impact, economic burden, public health, UFC-Que Choisir, ANSM, medication expiration dates, scientific approach, waste reduction.
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