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# What Is the Best Way to Track Expiration Dates of Medications and Supplies?
- URL: https://blog.jestor.com/track-expiration-dates-medications-supplies/
- Published: 2026-10-13T21:13:21.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-13T21:13:21.000Z
- Author: Bruno Bannach

An effective way to **track expiration dates of medications and supplies** is to record the expiry date for every lot received, keep lots linked to their products, and review a view that lists everything expiring in the coming weeks.

In **Jestor**, lots, products and movements are connected, so the oldest items are used first and nothing expires unnoticed.

## Why do items expire on the shelf?

Clinics receive the same product many times, each lot with a different expiry date. When the date is only on the box, nobody sees it until it is too late.

Expired items mean waste, unexpected purchases and potential problems during inspections.

## What problems does expiry tracking solve?

- Medications and supplies discarded after expiring
- Newer lots used before older ones
- Last-minute purchases to replace expired items
- No record of disposal for expired stock
- Inspection findings about expired items

## How do I track expiry dates in Jestor?

1. **Create a lots table** linked to products, with lot number, quantity and expiry date.
2. **Register each delivery** as a new lot, attaching the invoice if needed.
3. **Create a view sorted by expiry date** to apply first-expired, first-out.
4. **Highlight lots expiring within 30 days** with conditional colors.
5. **Log disposals** of expired items as movements with a reason.

| Expiry window     | Color  | Action                       |
| ----------------- | ------ | ---------------------------- |
| More than 90 days | Green  | Normal use                   |
| 30 to 90 days     | Yellow | Use these lots first         |
| Less than 30 days | Red    | Prioritize or plan disposal  |
| Expired           | Gray   | Remove and register disposal |

## How does OCR speed up receiving?

Typing lot numbers and dates from every delivery takes time and invites mistakes.

With Jestor's Image Reader (**OCR**), a photo of the label or invoice can fill the record automatically.

## Why use Jestor to control expiry dates?

- **Lot-level control**: every lot has its own expiry date and balance.
- **Visual warnings**: conditional colors make urgency obvious.
- **Faster data entry**: OCR reads documents and images.
- **Audit trail**: each change and disposal is recorded.

With this setup, you track expiration dates of medications and supplies before they become waste.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Can I get an alert before a lot expires?

Yes. Filtered views and automations can notify the responsible person ahead of the expiry date.

### Can I start without building from scratch?

Yes. Inventory templates are available; see options at [jestor.com](https://www.jestor.com/?ref=blog.jestor.com).

### Does this work on mobile?

Yes. Staff can check and log lots from their phone.

## Get to know Jestor

With **Jestor**, you can automate workflows, connect teams, and build internal systems your way — all without code and powered by **AI**.

Discover Jestor at [jestor.com](https://www.jestor.com/?ref=blog.jestor.com) and see how to take your company's operations to a new level of efficiency and control.