Revisions in the standards of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) related
to product dating, packaging, and temperature monitoring are discussed.
USP has revised product dating specifications as they relate to pharmacy pr
actice. Pharmacists are required to affix beyond-use dates and not expirati
on dates to the prescription or repackaged vial. With respect to beyond-use
dates for nonsterile products that are repackaged into unit dose or single
-unit containers, the requirement has been changed from the previous period
of six months from the date of repackaging or 25% of the time remaining un
til the expiration date, whichever is less, to one year. The type of packag
ing container, the material used in packaging, and the permeability of the
container to moisture are important issues for pharmacists to consider. USP
requires that the pharmacy facility where dispensing or repackaging occurs
be maintained at controlled room temperature such that the calculated mean
kinetic temperature does not exceed 25 degrees C.