Project #1

Confronting Waste in Big Pharma

Everybody knows not to take drugs past the expiration date. In actuality, few are aware that the manufacturer’s “expiration date” and the actual shelf life of the medication can be years apart. The current law requires drug companies to prove that their products are safe and effective until a certain date. However, this date is chosen by the drug company and may not be anywhere near the time the compound begins to degrade. Moreover, drug companies often print very conservative shelf lives on medications in order to ensure high product turnover. In effect, I believe that Congress should pass legislation that makes expiration dates reflect drug stability rather than marketing by pharmaceutical companies.
In the process of researching this topic, I found the adverse ramifications of the current system staggering. With increased product turnover comes increased use of raw materials. Many medications are composed of plant products, crude oil derivates, minerals, and other finite, precious resources. Therefore, the waste of the drug companies is two-fold; more resources are being allocated for goods that will be disposed of prematurely. Another ugly problem bolstered by medication waste is minute concentrations of prescription drugs found in urban water supplies. The AP projects that hospitals and other health care institutions flush 250 million pounds of expired, unused, or unneeded pharmaceuticals and contaminated packaging annually.
The most tragic consequence of inaccurate expiration dates, however, is beyond our borders. Third World countries receive significant quantities of donated medications that were produced in the United States. The World Health Organization advises these countries to reject donations if they are within a year of the manufacturer’s expiration date. This means that many desperately needed drugs are squandered for no legitimate reason.
Another astonishing finding was the drug companies’ stance on this subject. They contend that extending expiration dates would be costly, time consuming, and ultimately slow the rate at which new products will be put on the market. Granted, having a products with shorter shelf lives keeps the money flowing, but the line must be drawn somewhere. Shorter shelf lives preys on the consumer while the drug companies can spend less time testing medication, less time worrying about liability, and enjoy inflated profits.
The little-known issue of drug expiration deserves national attention and congressional discussion. It has been more than 20 years since the FDA brought shelf life into the public eye with its enlightening research on extending the shelf life of military medicinal stockpiles. When it comes to taking action on the topic, the FDA avoids responsibility by stating that consumer interests are not of its concern. Similarly, the American Medical Association skirts the issue by urging the pharmaceutical industry to collaborate with consumers and the FDA to discuss what could be done. After doing my research, it seems to me that the notion of extending expiration dates is largely ignored because there is too much money tied to the pharmaceutical industry. Hopefully reform is on the horizon because this accelerated consumption and disposal of medications is not sustainable indefinitely.

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