Key Summary
- When temperatures rise medicines can lose their effectiveness, or in some cases, cause side effects.
- They should be kept at room temperature and away from heat zones and direct sunlight.
- Pharmacists suggest that most medicines should routinely be kept in areas that do not exceed 25 degrees.
Pharmacies are advising patients to store medicines safely as the Met Office has forecast a significant rise in temperature over the bank holiday weekend.
The Met Office predicts that temperatures will exceed 30 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country in the coming days, making it one of the hottest May bank holidays on record.
Patients are being advised to make sure their medicines are kept below 25 degrees Celsius, unless storage instructions state it needs to be kept at an alternative temperature, such as drugs that need to be refrigerated.
Most medicines that need to be kept at room temperature should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from heat zones and direct sunlight.
When temperatures rise, medicines can lose their effectiveness, or in some cases, cause side effects.
Pharmacists suggest that most medicines should routinely be kept in areas that do not exceed 25 degrees.
They are also urging patients to take hot weather precautions such as keeping curtains and windows closed from direct sunlight, drinking plenty of fluids, and wearing appropriate clothing and sun protection when outdoors.
People with asthma should also remember to take their preventor inhalers, with warmer weather being a trigger for asthmatic symptoms.
National Pharmacy Association chair Olivier Picard said, “As we enter a bank holiday weekend with potentially record-breaking temperatures, it’s important that people take practical steps to protect their health.
“Although we can enjoy hot weather, heatwaves can quietly affect our bodies, our breathing, and even the way our medication works.
“It's important we take sensible precautions, including double-checking that your medication is stored correctly in a cool dry place as per any storage instructions, ideally below 25 degrees, as well as drinking plenty of fluids and keeping your home cool during the hottest hours of the day.
“We know the hot weather can be more of a challenge for older people or those with certain health conditions and it’s important people check on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours during this period.
“If anyone has concerns at all about their health or their medication, please speak to your local pharmacy who will be well placed to help.”
According to NHS advice and MHRA storage guidance, insulin should always be kept in the fridge (between 2°C and 8°C), while liquid antibiotics or reconstituted drugs also need refrigeration.
Inhalers can be sensitive to extreme temperatures and pressure, while nitroglycerin breaks down rapidly when exposed to heat.
