thank you both !

i have read that expiry dates are often largely due to shall we say "commercial interest" by the pharmcological companies, so that people think they need to get a new prescription every year or so.

in an article i read just after i posted this it said there are huge wastes of drugs that could be used in 3rd world countries if they were not disposed of because of their expiry dates.

they've been in a very cool dark place so i might try one

thanks again