Expiration analysis of the International Space Station formulary for exploration mission planning

Effective medications will be required to maintain human health for long-duration space operations. Previous studies have explored the stability and potency of several of the medications used on the International Space Station (ISS). This study is a comprehensive analysis of the expected terrestrial shelf-lives of the entire 2023 ISS formulary using 4 international registries. Of the 106 medications in the ISS formulary, shelf-life data was found in at least 1 of the registries for 91 (86%) medications. Of these 91 medications, 54 have an estimated terrestrial shelf-life of ≤36 months when stored in their original packaging. 14 will expire in less than 24 months. The results of this study provide operational insight to supplying a pharmacy for an exploration mission, optimize therapeutic outcomes, and prevent diseases associated with extended spaceflight operations. Ultimately, those responsible for the health of spaceflight crews will have to find ways to extend the expiration of medications to the complete mission duration or accept the elevated risk associated with administration of an expired medication.

Thomas E. Diaz, Emma C. Ives, Diana I. Lazare, Daniel M. Buckland