Health 7 August 2026 1 min read Monalife Pharmacy Team
Storing medicines in a coastal climate
Mombasa humidity degrades some medicines faster than heat does. Where you keep them matters.
Most medicines are tested for storage "below 25°C, protected from moisture". On the coast, humidity is usually the bigger problem.
The bathroom is the worst place
It is the most humid room in the house. Tablets absorb moisture, soften, and lose potency long before their printed expiry.
Better options
- A closed cupboard in a bedroom, away from a window
- Keep tablets in their original blister or bottle with the desiccant sachet
- Close bottles tightly, the desiccant only works in a sealed container
What belongs in the fridge
Only what the label says: most insulins, some eye drops, certain reconstituted antibiotic suspensions. Do not refrigerate anything else, condensation on removal does more harm than room temperature.
Signs a medicine has gone off
Discolouration, crumbling or softened tablets, an unusual smell, a cream that has separated, or a suspension that will not re-mix when shaken. Bring it to any branch, we dispose of it safely at no charge.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis. Speak to a pharmacist at any Monalife branch, or call +254 790 495 867.