out of date

[Rafael]

It doesn't take that long to check a date when dispensing, I do on my way from the shelf to the dispensing basket. A quick glance is alkl it should take.

i doubt it! this is not proper checking in any way....... you better have some SOP in place covering date checking, and make sure your staff check the stocks 'at least' monthly. otherwise, expect to be blamed for a dispensing error( not that you are not blamed anyways).

i hope there aren't any inspectors on this forum reading all the odd posts!

[Rafael]

ok jay, sorry i forgot you are not a pharmacist.
my point still valid, not sure if your pharmacist is happy with the current situation!

[jaymags]

What makes you say that? Apart from the dates that are embossed on the boxes reading a date is not rocket science. We have good sops inplace for this, we are always checking dates;
1. On recieving stock
2. Double check before going on the shelf.
3. Dispenser to check before giving to the pharmacist
4. Check date when replenishing from excess stock.
5. Check all dates when cleaning.
Granted there may only be two or three times a year when it's quiet enough to clean but a cleaning log book should be kept of all shelves containg goods with dates on not just the medicines.
We did have an inspector in once whilst I was dispensing and I clocked her watching me check dates.

[jaymags]

Apology accepted Raoul, but in all the years I have been a dispenser I can honestly say that I have never given anything to the pharmacist that has been out of date. I have seen more out of date stock still marked a full price in supermarkets, and pointed it out to staff.(It was Snack -a -Jacks that were two months past their sell by date). I'm not perfect but out of dates are a bug bear of mine.

[Rafael]

What makes you say that? watching me check dates.

the lack of information you provided initially. now it seems you guys follow a great procedure in practice.

[jaymags]

Sorry, Raoul for not making myself clearer in the first place.

[Averroes]

although I agree it's the responsibility of the pharmacist on duty to check the item thoroughly before handing out to the patient, surely removing out of dates from stock is a clinical governance issue and some responsibility lies with the branch.

[Averroes]

by the way, what's the guidance on removing soon to be out dated medication from shelves i.e. 6 months?

[johnep]

Where I work, a coloured dot identifies stock with less than 6 months to go.

Today I would happily give out a pack of bendro date 12/08. Expiry date is always end of month. However, I would caution pt.
johnep

[Fleegle]

Purely out of curiosity John, what would be the nature of your caution?