Why is temperature important for the safe storage of medicine?

The Arrive Alive website received an interesting email requesting info about the storage of medicine that we would like to share with visitors to the Accidents Blog:

Question

Subject: Rights to incorrect storage of medication

Message:
——–
I have just recently been to the United Kingdom and suffer from a thyroid problem and whilst in the United Kingdom had to have more medication. Now the doctors here told me I needed to keep the medication stored in the fridge at all time as it becomes toxic to the body and does not do its job and causes other problems.

Now I know that in South Africa you are not told this and every time I have been to get a repeat on my medication they have taken it off a shelf and it has not been stored in a refrigeration as it is in the United Kingdom. Now how can I go about insuring that the medication I get from the pharmacy is stored correctly. As with a thyroid problem you actually struggle to stay awake. Now mine is worse than ever and I have noticed a vast difference with the way the medication is treated and stored in the United Kingdom.

We referred this to our medical experts and road safety partner ER24, and received the following response:

Answer:

I have received your query from our partner Arrive Alive.co.za .

I have liaised with Dr Roy Van Brummelen, Managing Director of Biomox Pharmaceuticals in order to obtain expert and factual advice for you.

Dr Van Brummelen explained that the medication might have been slightly different in its composition from those that you normally receive here in South Africa. He also explained that the medication you received in the UK might have been made from a more natural substance. In this case medication usually made from natural substances would be kept in a fridge and semi-synthetic medication would usually be kept at room temperature between 24-25 Degree Celsius.

Generally medication should be kept in a cool dry place and not in the bathroom or in a cupboard where it could absorb moisture. Moisture might change some of the medications composite and become unstable – thus the medication would probably not be effective.

I hope this answers your query – we are planning to release an awareness article on Medication Storage during January. Please keep an eye out on our website www.er24.co.za – Should you have any further queries, please feel free to contact me.

Regards,

Werner Vermaak
EMCL Coordinator
ER24 National & International Regions
ER24 EMS
Manor 1, Cambridge Manor, Cnr Witkoppen & Stonehaven, Paulshof
P.O. Box 242 Paulshof 2056

Also view:

Medicine, Medication and Road Safety