Khaberni - Pharmacist and Spaniard influencer Celia Eraiyith sparked widespread debate after clarifying the reality of taking expired medications, stating that the concerns among people are greatly exaggerated.
In an interview reported by journalist Helena Tharko Garthia, Eraiyith began with a mocking tone, saying: "What happens if you take an expired medication? You will die," before immediately clarifying that this belief is not true, and that matters do not reach such a dangerous extent as many think, according to HuffPost.
She pointed out that pharmaceutical companies set expiration dates with wide safety margins, explaining that these dates are often shorter than the actual, real-life duration of the medication. According to her, the aim is to protect consumers to the greatest extent possible, even if the drug is used after the expiration date has passed.
She provided a common example: "Someone suffers from a headache and finds only a drug that expired a month ago. In this case, the most probable scenario is not harm, but a reduction in the drug's effectiveness." She mentioned that "the worst that might happen, if a long time has passed, is that the drug may lose part of its effect."
She emphasized that the regulations governing the pharmaceutical industry are very strict and are designed to ensure the highest safety standards, meaning that expiration does not automatically turn a drug into a hazardous substance the next day.
However, the specialist stressed the importance of adhering to medical recommendations, particularly in cases where a long time has passed or drugs were not stored properly. Environmental factors such as heat, humidity, and light can affect drug stability, and some types are more sensitive than others, which calls for caution and avoiding risks.
