If a medication stock bottle contains an expiration date of 3/31/23, on what day does it expire?

The expiration date of a medication indicates the last day the product can be considered effective and safe for use. When a stock bottle states an expiration date of 3/31/23, it means that the medication is stable and retains its full potency until the end of that date, specifically until 11:59 PM on March 31, 2023. Therefore, it would be appropriate to say the medication is effective through the entirety of that day. After that moment in time passes, the product should no longer be used.

Understanding expiration dates is crucial for pharmacy technicians, as using a product past its expiration can impact patient safety and therapeutic outcomes. This also highlights the importance of monitoring inventory and ensuring that medications are not dispensed once they have expired.