October 21

National Check Your Meds Day

Make sure you stay healthy: mark your calendar for National Check Your Meds Day and take the time to double-check that your medications are up-to-date!

Yearly Date

October 21

Observed in

United States

Introduction

Get ready to check your meds and make sure they are up-to-date on National Check Your Meds Day, October 21! This special day was created in 2017 to remind people of the importance of regularly checking their medicine cabinets. Keeping track of your medications is essential for staying healthy, as expired or unused medications can become dangerous over time. So let's celebrate this day by making sure our medicines are always fresh and safe!

National Check Your Meds Day Timeline

1944

Establishment of FDA Drug Regulation

The Durham-Humphrey Amendment to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act is passed, making prescription drug regulation clearer and stricter than ever before.

1970

Controlled Substances Act Passed

The US government passes the Controlled Substances Act, requiring pharmacies and manufacturers to track and account for all prescription medications.

1999

First Medication Take-Back Day

The first National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is held in the United States, promoting safe disposal of unused or expired medications.

2010

FDA's Shelf-Life Extension Program

The Food and Drug Administration implements the Shelf-Life Extension Program (SLEP), which identifies and extends the expiration dates of certain stockpiled drugs.

2018

Growth of Prescription Medication Use

A study reveals that nearly half of all Americans have taken at least one prescription drug in the last month, highlighting the importance of medication safety.

2017

Inception of Check Your Meds Day

National Check Your Meds Day is established by Consumer Reports and the US Department of Health and Human Services, encouraging individuals to regularly review their medications.

How to Celebrate National Check Your Meds Day

1 Check your own medications

It is important to review all of your medications, both prescription and over the counter, to make sure that you are taking them correctly and safely.

2 Schedule a medication checkup

Make an appointment with your doctor or pharmacist to review all of your medications and ask any questions you may have.

3 Educate yourself about medications

Research the medications you are taking and learn about how they work, common side effects, interactions with other drugs and more.

4 Teach others about safe medication practices

Share what you have learned with family members, friends, and community members about taking medications safely.

5 Dispose of unused medicines

Properly dispose of any expired or unused medications by checking with your local pharmacy or hazardous waste disposal facility.

Why National Check Your Meds Day is Important

It keeps you safe

Checking your medications regularly is essential for making sure that you're taking the right amount and that you're not taking any pills that could cause dangerous side effects. It's also important to make sure that all of the information on your medication labels is correct so that you can be sure of what you're taking.

It ensures proper dosage

By checking your medications regularly, you can make sure that you're taking the correct dosage for each drug. This will help keep the effectiveness of your drugs at its peak and ensure that you're not over or undermedicating yourself.

It keeps doctor visits organized

When keeping track of your medications, make sure to provide your doctor and/or pharmacist with a list of all of the medications you are taking. This will help keep doctor visits organized and prevent any confusion between different prescriptions or overmedication.