Which statement correctly describes Beyond-Use Dating (BUD)?

• A. Beyond-Use Dating is the manufacturer's expiration date
• B. Beyond-Use Dating is the date the prescription should be filled
• C. Beyond-Use Dating is the maximum time a compounded preparation may be stored under specified conditions
• D. Beyond-Use Dating is the date after which the drug should be discarded by the patient

Answer: (C)

Beyond-Use Dating tells you how long a compounded preparation can be stored under specified conditions and still be safe and effective. The pharmacist uses stability data, ingredients, packaging, and storage conditions to set the BUD, which is the maximum time from the date of compounding that the product may be stored before use. This is separate from the manufacturer's expiration date, which applies to manufactured products, and it is not simply the date the prescription should be filled. The BUD guides when the preparation should be used or discarded; once the BUD passes, the product should not be used. In short, the BUD is the scientifically derived limit on how long a compounded preparation can be stored under defined conditions.