Time for a cabinet clear-out?

Dusty, out-of-date prescriptions could make you worse rather than better. Declutter your pills and reap the benefits

sort through your medicine box and reap the benefits

We’re a nation of people who can’t throw things away, with 28% of us admitting to being hoarders, while one in 10 brits say they haven’t decluttered for over five years*. but, when it comes to the contents in your medicine cabinet, having a clear-out could save space, cash and even stop you getting sick.

“any medication past its use-by date is dangerous,” warns stuart Gale, chief pharmacist and owner of oxfordonlinepharmacy.co.uk.

“they may be ineffective or could cause further harm as a result of degraded ingredients.”

Can’t find an end date on the packet? Check for changes in appearance (has a liquid separated or changed colour?) and texture (tablets becoming softer, crumbling or sticking together). “Remember that some items, such as eye drops, can have limited expiry once opened, such as 28 days,” says stuart.

“this can be even shorter for ‘single-use’ eye drops. and liquids shouldn’t really be used any longer than six months after opening.”