After a major disaster medications used To treat various ailments will be Quickly depleted this is a problem Because 80 percent of the world's Pharmaceutical ingredients come from Abroad attention will likely be turned Towards medications that have exceeded Their stated shelf life for this very Reason the U.S Department of Defense did A comprehensive study that sought to Determine how much potency medications Retained after their expiration dates Their comprehensive study formed a basis For what's now known as the shelf life Extension program some of their findings Were as follows the common antibiotic Ciprofloxacin retain 90 percent of its Potency up to 142 months after the Expiration date potassium iodide used For nuclear emergencies retain 90 Potency after 184 months Tylenol or Acetaminophen retain 90 potency after Two years diphenhydramine the active Ingredient in Benadryl was potent for Nearly 126 months after expiration this Information is absolutely critical for Anybody who is concerned with emergency Preparedness