National Check Your Meds Day

Categories:: Health
Tags:: Elderly
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every October 21
Holiday emoji:: 💊

National Check Your Meds Day empowers individuals to take control of their health by reviewing prescriptions with a pharmacist every October 21. Use this day to ensure your medications are current, understand their proper use, and ask any questions you may have about your health regimen.

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Expected National Check Your Meds Day Deals

As a vital public health initiative, National Check Your Meds Day focuses on education and safety rather than commercial deals. However, many pharmacies, like CVS Health and Walgreens, offer free medication reviews and consultations year-round, which are often highlighted around this day. Non-profit organizations such as the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) lead awareness campaigns, providing resources and encouraging participation. Patients can also find support from organizations like AARP, which advocates for safe medication practices among seniors. We will update this page with confirmed live resources and local pharmacy events as October 21 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Check Your Meds Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #CheckYourMedsDay. Share a photo of your organized medicine cabinet or a tip for medication safety.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #CheckYourMedsDay. Share statistics on medication errors or advocate for regular pharmacy consultations.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #CheckYourMedsDay. Post a link to local pharmacy services offering medication reviews.

National Check Your Meds Day Hero

Dr. William Procter Jr.

Often called the 'Father of American Pharmacy,' Dr. William Procter Jr. (1817-1874) was a pioneering pharmacist, professor, and author. He played a crucial role in establishing pharmacy as a distinct profession in the United States, advocating for rigorous education and ethical practice. His work laid the groundwork for the professional standards that underpin modern medication management and patient counseling.

History of National Check Your Meds Day

There has always been a distinction between those who directly work with ill patients and those who create pharmaceutical remedies. Pharmacists originally went by the title apothecaries, and are even found in Greek Mythology where Asclepius, who was the god of healing, gave Hygieia the duty to compound his remedies. In ancient Egypt, the medical profession was split into two classes: the ones who visited the sick and the ones who prepared antidotes. In 1683, the city council of Bruges made it illegal for physicians to both visit and prepare medications for their patients. Later on, in the new country of America, Benjamin Franklin assigned an apothecary to the Pennsylvania Hospital, furthering the distinction between the two specializations.

The events of World War II led to big pharmaceutical discoveries, such as new and highly effective medications. The role of the pharmacist also changed due to post World War II events, making it so pharmacists were no longer the makers of remedies, but were still knowledgeable in all medicines prescribed to patients. They went from making medicines behind the scenes to consulting patients directly, offering advice, medical directions, and correct dosage instructions. Now pharmacists have a more hands on role than they did traditionally, and though they no longer make antidotes in house, it doesn’t make them any less knowledgable in their craft.

Officially established in 2017 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Check Your Meds Day is a day for patients to gain a clearer understanding of exactly what their prescribed medication does, how it affects them, if they’re taking them correctly, and if there’s a more cost-effective alternative to what they’re being prescribed.

National Check Your Meds Day timeline

1899

Take two and call me

Germany's Bayer introduced aspirin.

1919

Government oversight

United States v. Doremus court case determines the government can regulate how doctors provide prescription drugs.

1951

Prescription vs OTC

The Durham Humphrey Bill was passed to define all drugs as either prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs.

1988

Drug Czar created

The U.S. created the position of "Drug Czar" to better regulate the dispensing of prescription drugs.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Check Your Meds Day

Local pharmacies are at the forefront of National Check Your Meds Day, offering free consultations and medication reviews to their communities. Businesses can promote these services, perhaps by partnering with local clinics or senior centers to host outreach events. Employers can also educate their staff on the importance of medication safety, providing resources for confidential pharmacist consultations. Highlighting pharmacists as accessible healthcare providers reinforces their critical role in public health.

National Check Your Meds Day FAQs

When is National Check Your Meds Day?

National Check Your Meds Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, October 21. It’s an important mid-week reminder to prioritize your health and ensure your medication regimen is safe and effective.

How many Americans take multiple medications?

According to the CDC, nearly 40% of adults aged 65 and older in the U.S. take five or more prescription medications. This highlights the critical need for regular medication reviews to prevent adverse drug events.

What is the role of a pharmacist in medication management?

Pharmacists play a crucial role beyond dispensing medications; they are medication experts who provide counseling, identify potential drug interactions, and help patients understand their treatment plans. They are key to ensuring safe and effective medication use.

Is National Check Your Meds Day a federal holiday?

No, National Check Your Meds Day is not a federal holiday. It is an observance sponsored by the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) to promote public health and medication safety.

How to Observe National Check Your Meds Day

Get 'em checked
Individuals who take prescription drugs should take advantage of the opportunity to spend some time with their local pharmacist and get their meds checked. Don't miss the opportunity to develop a closer relationship with your pharmacist and become better educated about the drugs you're taking.
Round up friends and family
Especially for those with elderly friends and family members who rely on prescription medications, encourage them to participate in National Check Your Meds Day and visit their local pharmacist. They will be reassured about their prescriptions (often a source of anxiety) and be more confident when taking their meds.
Promote participation
Hey pharmacists, do everything you can to participate in National Check Your Meds Day and to promote it through an event or other type of marketing effort. Put a banner up outside the pharmacy and set up a table in the parking lot to let patients know you're fully participating in the day.

3 Reasons To Always Take Your Meds

Keeps you healthier
Those who follow their meds regimen reduce risk of getting sick by 26 percent.
Keeps you alive
Those with similar conditions who consistently take their meds live longer than those who don't.
Healthy behavior
Those who strictly follow their regimen are also more likely to live healthier by eating better and exercising.

Why National Check Your Meds Day is Important

Safety first
National Check Your Meds Day ensures that consumers are safely taking the right doses and the right prescriptions. By participating, consumers can be reassured that their meds are in good hands and that they're doing the right things to maintain good health.
Questions answered
Consumers should be curious about their meds, be as educated as possible about the effects the meds are intended to have, and what warning signs to look for. By participating in National Check Your Meds Day, consumers can maintain a good relationship with their pharmacist and get answers to important questions.
Good outreach for pharmacists
By participating in National Check Your Meds Day, pharmacists send the message that they want to look out for the best interests of patients and be proactive in helping to maintain consumer health.