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Opened eye drops red flags — GPhC CRA MCQ

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HardDispensing and SupplyOpened eye drops red flagsGPhC CRA

A patient returns chloramphenicol eye drops and says he opened them six weeks ago but used them again yesterday for a red eye. The bottle has been stored in the fridge. He now has worsening pain and photophobia. What is the most appropriate action?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: A — Advise urgent assessment for the eye symptoms and explain opened drops should be discarded after the stated in-use period.

Eye pain and photophobia are red flags requiring urgent clinical assessment. Opened eye drops have an in-use expiry to reduce contamination risk, commonly 28 days unless the product states otherwise. Refrigeration does not reset the expiry.

Reference: BNF; MEP; NICE CKS