Sun cream, packed. Passport, packed. Medicines, left on a sunny windowsill\u00a0or in a warm bag for\u00a0long periods\u00a0without a second thought.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As temperatures rise and\u00a0the summer holiday season is well underway, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is urging people to remember that medicines need looking after too.<\/p>\n
Many medicines are intended\u00a0to be stored below 25\u00b0C\u00a0and\u00a0exposure to higher temperatures can reduce how well they work.\u00a0While some medicines need refrigeration, others should be stored at room temperature.\u00a0This\u00a0can\u00a0be particularly important for medicines\u00a0like insulin, certain inhalers,\u00a0creams for skin conditions\u00a0and some contraceptives.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
This advice extends to\u00a0medical devices\u00a0such as\u00a0blood glucose monitors and insulin strips.\u00a0Storage requirements vary and people should always follow the instructions that come with their medicine\u00a0or medical device.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the summer,\u00a0places such as parked\u00a0cars,\u00a0packed suitcases, caravans, and sunny rooms\u00a0can get far hotter than people expect.\u00a0For some medicines, these conditions can\u00a0affect how\u00a0well they\u00a0work.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cChecking the storage instructions\u00a0that come with\u00a0your medicine, and\u00a0storing it\u00a0correctly only\u00a0takes a\u00a0few\u00a0minutes but\u00a0can\u00a0help ensure\u00a0it\u00a0remains safe and effective\u00a0when you need\u00a0it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Keep\u00a0your\u00a0medicines somewhere cool,\u00a0dry,\u00a0and out of direct sunlight\u00a0<\/p>\n
The MHRA is encouraging people to:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Check the patient information leaflet\u00a0or packaging\u00a0for storage instructions. Patient information leaflets are available online via the MHRA website. Some medicines need refrigeration, others need protection from light or heat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Avoid leaving medicines in cars, suitcases, or other places\u00a0that can become\u00a0very hot, particularly during summer travel.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Store medicines at home somewhere cool and dry, away from direct sunlight and\u00a0avoid keeping them in\u00a0bathrooms or\u00a0near sources of heat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Speak to a pharmacist if you are unsure how a medicine should be stored or if you think it may have been exposed to excessive heat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Anyone who suspects their medicine\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0working as it should is encouraged to speak to a pharmacist or\u00a0doctor and\u00a0report suspected issues to the\u00a0MHRA Yellow Card scheme.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n