[trashtestcrash]

What about the expiry dates on all of the medication/food. You cannot just buy stuff in bulk and let it sit for 20 years waiting for the right time to use it.

I guess for food you can just use it as you go and just refill what you used occasionally and keeping high levels of supply. But for medication I don't see other option than throwing it away when it expires?

[meristohm]

Expiration dates are maybe a hedge by the manufacturer? Our pediatrician said of some medication we had on hand that it’s probably good way past the printed date, maybe a bit less effective over time, and I’ve heard this about Aspirin, for example. What drugs actually break down quickly over time of kept in the recommended temperature range?

[nbernard]

I believe that's mostly true, but, on the other hand, some drugs (notably antibiotics of the tetracyclines family) become quite dangerous as they degrade...