How to Check Lot Numbers and Recalls When Clearing Expired Meds

Clearing out expired medications isn’t just about tidying up your medicine cabinet. It’s a safety step that can prevent accidental poisoning, reduce drug waste, and stop dangerous recalls from spreading. But here’s the problem: lot numbers don’t tell you when a drug expires. And if you’re guessing, you’re risking lives.

Don’t Guess the Expiration Date from the Lot Number

You might think, "If the lot number is 230515, doesn’t that mean it expired in May 2025?" No. It doesn’t. Lot numbers are for tracking batches, not dates. They’re like a car’s VIN-useful for recalls, useless for telling you when something goes bad.

The FDA requires manufacturers to print the expiration date clearly on every package as "EXP MM/YY" or "EXP DD/MM/YY." That’s the only date you should trust. A lot number like "L1234567B" or "MK22B047" tells you which factory made it and when it was packed-but not when it stops working. Trying to calculate expiration from the lot number is like trying to guess your phone’s battery life from its serial number. It just doesn’t work.

A 2024 study by Medplore found that 74% of medication errors during inventory clearance happened because staff tried to reverse-engineer expiration dates from lot numbers. One pharmacy in Ohio accidentally threw out $8,000 worth of insulin because they thought "220812" meant it expired in August 2022. It didn’t. The EXP date on the label said 08/2024. The drug was still good.

Always Read the EXP Date First

Before you even look at the lot number, find the expiration date. It’s usually on the side or bottom of the bottle, blister pack, or box. Look for "EXP," "EXPIRES," or "USE BY." If it says "05/25," that means May 2025. If it says "25/05," that’s the same thing-just written in day/month format, common on international meds.

Don’t rely on memory. Don’t assume all pills from the same bottle expire together. Some liquid antibiotics expire 14 days after opening, even if the bottle says 2026. Always check the label. If the label is faded, torn, or missing, treat it as expired. No exceptions.

Use the Lot Number to Check for Recalls

Once you’ve confirmed the expiration date, use the lot number to check for recalls. This is where the lot number actually matters. The FDA tracks every batch of medication that’s pulled from shelves because of contamination, mislabeling, or safety risks.

Go to the FDA’s official Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts page. Search by the lot number. If you see a match, the drug might be unsafe-even if it hasn’t expired yet. You don’t need to be a pharmacist to do this. Just copy the lot number from the package and paste it into the search bar.

In 2023, a recall of a popular blood pressure medication affected 12 different lot numbers. Pharmacies that scanned their inventory against the FDA list caught the problem before a single patient took a bad pill. Those that didn’t? They had to pull 400 bottles from shelves after a patient had a seizure.

How to Verify Lot Numbers in a Pharmacy Setting

If you work in a pharmacy, clinic, or long-term care facility, here’s the three-step process the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) says you must follow:

1. Look at the package. Find and read the EXP date.
2. Scan or type the lot number into your inventory system.
3. Check the FDA’s recall database using that same lot number.

Automated systems that scan barcodes and cross-reference with manufacturer databases cut errors by over 98%. Manual entry? It’s messy. A 2022 study showed 12.7% of expired meds were missed because someone misread a lot number or typed it wrong.

If your system doesn’t auto-check recalls, make a habit of doing it manually every time you clear stock. Keep a printed list of recent recalls in your storage area. Update it weekly.

What to Do When You Find an Expired or Recalled Med

Don’t throw expired or recalled meds in the trash. Don’t flush them unless the label says it’s safe. The safest way is to drop them off at a drug take-back location. Many pharmacies, hospitals, and police stations offer free disposal bins.

If you can’t get to a take-back site, mix the pills with coffee grounds or cat litter, seal them in a plastic bag, and toss them in the trash. This prevents kids or pets from getting into them. Remove personal info from the bottle before recycling it.

For controlled substances like opioids or sedatives, you must fill out FDA Form 3639. Keep a copy for two years. This isn’t optional. The DEA requires it.

Why Some Pharmacies Are Still Getting It Wrong

Chain pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens mostly use automated systems. They scan barcodes, match lot numbers, and get instant recall alerts. But independent pharmacies? Many still use paper logs or old software that doesn’t connect to the FDA’s database.

A 2023 survey by the National Community Pharmacists Association found that only 42% of independent pharmacies use systems that track lot-specific expiration dates. That means nearly 6 in 10 are flying blind. One pharmacist in Montana told us she had to manually call 17 different manufacturers last year just to check if a batch of antibiotics was recalled. She spent 18 hours on the phone.

The FDA is pushing for full electronic tracking by November 2025. But until then, if you’re running a small clinic or home pharmacy, you’re on the hook. Don’t wait for technology to save you. Do the work yourself.

What’s Coming: AI and Standardized Labels

The FDA approved a new AI tool in April 2024 that can read expiration dates from blurry, damaged, or poorly lit labels with 99.2% accuracy. It’s already being used in hospitals in California and New York. Within two years, most pharmacies will have these scanners.

The FDA is also working on a new standard called SNI (Standardized Numerical Identification) to make lot numbers easier to read and track. But here’s the key: expiration dates will still be separate. Even with better lot numbers, you’ll still need to look for the EXP date.

Don’t wait for the future to fix this. Start today.

Real-Life Example: A Pharmacy’s Mistake

In January 2024, a small pharmacy in Wisconsin received a shipment of flu shots. The EXP date on the box said 12/2024. The lot number was "FLU231101A." The staff assumed it was good because it wasn’t expired yet. They didn’t check the recall list.

Turns out, that exact lot had been recalled because of bacterial contamination. Four patients developed infections after getting the shot. The pharmacy lost its license. The manufacturer sued. The cost? Over $2 million.

All because they skipped step three.

Final Checklist: Clearing Expired Meds Safely

Use this every time you clear out old meds:

• Find the EXP date on the package-never guess from the lot number.
• Write down the lot number exactly as it appears.
• Go to the FDA’s recall website and search that lot number.
• If it’s expired OR recalled, don’t use it.
• Dispose of it properly at a take-back site or by mixing with coffee grounds.
• Document what you threw out and why.
• Keep records for at least two years.

What If the Label Is Gone?

If the bottle has no label, no lot number, and no EXP date-throw it out. No exceptions. Even if you think it’s aspirin or vitamin D, you can’t be sure. Counterfeit meds are up 217% since 2020. If you can’t verify it, assume it’s dangerous.

How Often Should You Check?

Check your medicine cabinet every three months. If you’re a pharmacy, check inventory weekly. Set a calendar reminder. Make it part of your routine-like changing smoke detector batteries.

Don’t wait until the medicine is visibly discolored or smells weird. That’s too late.

Why This Matters More Than You Think

The FDA says expired medications cause over 1.3 million emergency room visits every year in the U.S. That’s not a small number. It’s not just about wasted money. It’s about people getting sick because someone didn’t check a label.

You don’t need fancy tools. You don’t need to be a pharmacist. You just need to look. And then check. And then act.