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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!
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!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1944</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Establishment of FDA Drug Regulation</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Durham-Humphrey Amendment to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act is passed, making prescription drug regulation clearer and stricter than ever before.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1970</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Controlled Substances Act Passed</div><div class='timeline-text'>The US government passes the Controlled Substances Act, requiring pharmacies and manufacturers to track and account for all prescription medications.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1999</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Medication Take-Back Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is held in the United States, promoting safe disposal of unused or expired medications.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>FDA's Shelf-Life Extension Program</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Food and Drug Administration implements the Shelf-Life Extension Program (SLEP), which identifies and extends the expiration dates of certain stockpiled drugs.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2018</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Growth of Prescription Medication Use</div><div class='timeline-text'>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.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2017</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inception of Check Your Meds Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>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.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Check your own medications</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Schedule a medication checkup</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Make an appointment with your doctor or pharmacist to review all of your medications and ask any questions you may have.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Educate yourself about medications</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Research the medications you are taking and learn about how they work, common side effects, interactions with other drugs and more.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Teach others about safe medication practices</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Share what you have learned with family members, friends, and community members about taking medications safely.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Dispose of unused medicines</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Properly dispose of any expired or unused medications by checking with your local pharmacy or hazardous waste disposal facility.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It keeps you safe</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It ensures proper dosage</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It keeps doctor visits organized</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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.</p></div></div>
National Check Your Meds Day is celebrated on October 21 every year. In 2024 National Check Your Meds Day will occur on a Monday.
2023
Oct 21
Saturday
2024
Oct 21
Monday
2025
Oct 21
Tuesday
2026
Oct 21
Wednesday
2027
Oct 21
Thursday
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