Question 22

The technician should remove the medication from stock and return it per pharmacy policy.

When a pharmacy technician discovers that a medication has passed its expiration date, the appropriate action is to remove the medication from stock and return it according to the pharmacy's established protocols to ensure patient safety.

A) Fill the prescription and reorder the medication.

Filling a prescription with a medication that has expired is not only unsafe but also against pharmacy regulations. This action could potentially harm patients, as expired medications may lose potency or become harmful.

B) Record the number of pills, lot number, and expiration date, then discard the medication.

While recording the details of the expired medication is a good practice, simply discarding the medication without following the proper return procedures may not comply with pharmacy policy. The technician should prioritize returning the expired stock per the pharmacy's guidelines.

C) Remove the medication from stock and return it per pharmacy policy.

This option is correct as it adheres to safety protocols and regulatory requirements. By removing expired medications from stock and returning them, the technician helps maintain a safe inventory and prevents potential harm to patients.

D) Place the medication back on the shelf and locate a new bottle within date.

Putting an expired medication back on the shelf is highly inappropriate and poses significant risks to patient safety. This action contradicts pharmacy standards and could lead to serious health issues if dispensed.

Conclusion

The correct action is to remove the expired medication from stock and return it according to pharmacy policy, ensuring compliance and patient safety. All other options fail to prioritize patient health and safety, either by suggesting unsafe practices or by not adhering to standard procedures for managing expired medications.