True or False: Medications can be given if their expiration dates are approaching but not past.

The statement is true; medications can be administered if their expiration dates are approaching but not beyond the expiration date. Pharmacies and healthcare guidelines generally maintain that medications may still be effective and safe to use prior to their expiration date, as long as they are stored properly.

Approaching expiration does not automatically render a medication ineffective or unsafe; rather, it means that the medication will need to be used soon or replaced to ensure continued efficacy. Staff must always adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines and recommendations for storage and handling, as well as any facility policies in place regarding the use of medications nearing their expiration.

In contexts where verification from medical staff is required, or if situations involve emergencies, these policies typically emphasize a careful review process, adjusting the blanket availability of medications. However, the primary principle remains that as long as a medication has not yet reached its expiration date, it is generally considered acceptable to use it.