Pharmacist cautions to check expiry date on drugs, packaged foods and cosmetics before purchase

iyebiye olawuyi

February 22, 2017 3:14 PM

He said that most people never cared to check expiry dates on items upon purchase, adding that such attitude could be risky.

Beauty products have expiry dates with lipsticks lasting up to a year

A Jos-based Pharmacist, Mrs Rotkang Okunlola, has reminded members of the public of the need to always check expiry date on drugs, beverages, packaged foods and cosmetics before purchase.

Okunlola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Jos, that most people never cared to check expiry dates on items upon purchase, adding that such attitude could be risky.

She explained all drugs had unique formulations consisting of active and inactive ingredients geared towards treating specific diseases.

“Once a drug is developed, manufactures determine the length of time the drug would last without deteriorating; if the medication is used within its shelf-time, maximal efficacy and safety of the drug is expected."

“When such drugs are expired, most of the time, the chemical composition of these drugs change after the expiry period, and so the said products are no longer the same."

“This means the individual is consuming a rather different product, which would be toxic, whereby some of the drugs metabolites end up damaging the liver and kidneys, leading to kidney failure and the destruction of the liver,” she disclosed.

She further revealed that expired beverages and canned foods, were highly harmful, if eaten as the preservatives used in those foods could become toxic and harmful to one’s health.

Okunlola, also cautioned people to also desist from purchasing expired cosmetics as such products could also inflict harm on users.

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