First Expiry First Out [FEFO]

The principle of First-Expired, First-Out (FEFO) means that the drugs which are due to expire first, are to be issued first. 

The FEFO principle ensures that the product with the shortest expiry date is utilised at the earliest within its shelf-life. 

Following the FEFO principles, the stocks need to be placed/ arranged/ stacked in a sequential manner. 

Steps Followed for Implementing FEFO

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1. Check Expiry Date
   • The expiry date of the stock need to be checked at the time of receipt of supplies with the release order/issue voucher. 
   • The ‘Expiry Dates’ should be marked in bold letters, 3” to 4” in size, on the drug cartons with a marker pen, for easy identification and control of drugs immediately on their arrival.
   • The pharmacist need to record for expiry date of the stock in the Ni-kshay Aushadhi or in stock register.
      
2. Storing Supplies with Different Dates of Manufacture and Expiry in Different Batches
   • Different batches of supplies with different dates of manufacture and expiry should be stored separately.
   • Supplies that are past their date of expiry should never be stored with the items which are still being used and the storekeeper should ensure that there is no stocking of supplies beyond their date of expiry.
      
3. Checking the Utilisation Pattern Before Issuing Drugs
   • The storekeeper should strictly follow FEFO principles to ensure that all short-expiry drugs should be distributed to  the State/ District/TU/ Peripheral Health Institute based on the utilisation pattern of each.
   • The storekeeper is also expected to install appropriate tools to periodically monitor controls over the expiry position of drugs held in stocks mainly through storage of drugs of a particular description at one place, expiry-wise stacking and marking expiry dates on cartons/ drug boxes with marker pens.
   • The Pharmacist need to check for Expiry date from the physical stock and Ni-kshay Aushadhi prior to issue.
   • In case of short-expiry supplies, the distribution should be on the rational basis keeping in view the utilization pattern to ensure judicious consumption.
      
4. Frequent Checks/ Physical Verification
   • Frequent check and physical verification to be carried out by the supervisory officer on regular basis. This ensures that the older drugs are being used first and that none of the drugs are past their date of expiry.

Resources

• Module for STS - Part 2: Ensuring Proper Registration and Reporting, CTD, MoHFW, India.
• Training Modules (5-9) for Programme Managers and Medical Officers, CTD, MoHFW, India.

Assessment