过期药品能不能吃？卫健委发布会权威回应

Core Viewpoint - The National Health Commission emphasizes that expired medications should not be used due to potential health risks and reduced efficacy [5]. Group 1: Effects of Expired Medications - Expired medications may have decreased active ingredient levels, leading to ineffective treatment outcomes, such as antibiotics failing to eliminate bacteria and potentially delaying recovery [5]. - Chemical degradation can occur in expired drugs, exemplified by aspirin breaking down into salicylic acid, which can irritate the gastric mucosa and cause symptoms like gastrointestinal bleeding [5]. - Even if expired medications appear normal, they may harbor bacterial growth, posing safety risks, such as expired eye drops potentially causing conjunctivitis or keratitis [5]. Group 2: Disposal Recommendations - The recommended method for disposing of expired medications is to crush the pills or capsules, wrap them in white paper, place them in a sealed bag, and discard them in a hazardous waste bin [5].