IACUC Guideline:

Use of Expired Medical Materials

The use of expired medical materials such as drugs, and fluids, is not considered to be acceptable veterinary practice and does not constitute adequate veterinary care as required by the regulations promulgated under the Animal Welfare Act.

Identification and removal of expired medical materials: The IACUC recommends that each laboratory establish a procedure to facilitate the identification and removal of expired drugs and other medical materials used for research involving animals.  This may take the form of a drug log, signed by a member of the laboratory each month, indicating that they have checked for and discarded, or set aside for disposal, any expired drugs or other medical materials from their laboratory. 

It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator to dispose of expired drugs; the IACUC will do follow-up to confirm disposal.

Accepted by the IACUC: 10-3-06

(Based on IACUC/USDA policies http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/policy3.html)