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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!

Wednesday

October 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEOctober 21

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYAwareness

SUBCATEGORYPublic Health

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

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!

TIMELINE

National Check Your Meds Day Timeline

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.

Controlled Substances Act Passed

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Check Your Meds Day

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.

SCHEDULE

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.

EDUCATE

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.

TEACH

Teach others about safe medication practices

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

DISPOSE

Dispose of unused medicines

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

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why National Check Your Meds Day is Important

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.

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.

Related holidays

Medication Safety Week

Stay safe and informed during Medication Safety Week - learn about proper dosage, storage, and disposal to protect yourself and your loved ones.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Join National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, ensuring a safer home & environment. Dispose expired or unused drugs responsibly, let's care together!

National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day

An awareness observance on March 24 raising awareness about adverse drug events, including medication errors, side effects, and overdoses, to promote reporting, prevention, and medication safety.