Docfan Academy

Medicines are chemicals, and chemicals change when they are too hot, too damp or too bright. A tablet that looks fine may already be weaker. Good storage protects the patient and protects your money.

The four enemies

• Heat. Store at the temperature on the label. Controlled room temperature is roughly 15 °C to 25 °C. Some labels say "below 25 °C" or "below 30 °C". Always follow the label of the product in your hand.
• Cold, when it is needed. Refrigerated products stay at 2 °C to 8 °C. Do not freeze them unless the label says so. Freezing can ruin some products, including insulin and many vaccines.
• Humidity. Keep tablets and capsules dry. Close containers tightly. Do not store stock on the floor or against a wet wall.
• Light. If the label says "protect from light", keep the product in its original pack, away from direct sunlight.

Order on the shelf

Use first-expiry-first-out (FEFO). Put the batch that expires first at the front and the new stock behind it. Check expiry dates when stock arrives and during regular shelf checks. Move expired or damaged stock to a clearly labelled area, away from usable stock, until it is disposed of correctly.

Keep medicines apart from food, cleaning products and personal items. Keep look-alike products apart from each other. Keep stock on shelves or pallets, not on the floor.

The medicine fridge

• Medicines only. No lunch, no drinks, no sandwiches.
• Keep a thermometer inside. Read it at least twice a day and write the date, time, reading and your initials.
• Leave gaps between packs so cold air can move. Do not store stock in the door.
• If the reading is outside 2 °C to 8 °C, do not guess. Keep the door closed, tell your supervisor, set the stock aside marked "do not use", and ask the supplier or manufacturer whether it can still be used.