Ohio Pharmacy Law Practice Test

What is the purpose of the beyond-use date on drug labels?

1. To indicate how long the drug is safe to take

2. To determine when the drug must be returned to the manufacturer

3. To specify the last date a refill can be requested

4. To ensure proper storage conditions are maintained

The correct answer is: To indicate how long the drug is safe to take

The purpose of the beyond-use date on drug labels is to indicate how long the drug is safe to take. This date is established to provide guidance on the stability and efficacy of the medication. Once the beyond-use date has passed, the manufacturer cannot guarantee that the drug will retain its intended potency or safety. This is particularly important for compounded medications, which may lack the extensive testing that commercially manufactured drugs undergo. While the other choices refer to important aspects of medication management, they do not accurately describe the function of the beyond-use date. The determination to return the drug to the manufacturer relates to product recalls and quality assurance but does not pertain to the individual use of the medication by patients. The last date a refill can be requested falls under prescription management and not the beyond-use date. Finally, ensuring that proper storage conditions are maintained is crucial for the integrity of the medication but is separate from the determination of how long the drug can be safely used after it has been dispensed.