National Check Your Meds Day: Taking Control of Medication Safety

October 21 marks National Check Your Meds Day, a nationwide campaign encouraging people to review their medications with a pharmacist or healthcare provider.

For Native Americans, who often face multiple prescriptions for chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease, this day is an opportunity to prevent dangerous mix-ups, reduce side effects, and build trust in health management.

Why Medication Reviews Matter

According to the CDC:

• Nearly 50% of adults in the U.S. take at least one prescription medication.

• 1 in 3 older adults takes five or more.

• Medication errors send more than 1 million people to emergency departments every year.

These errors often occur when medications from different providers interact in harmful ways — especially when patients also use traditional remedies or over-the-counter drugs.

Common Medication Challenges in Native Communities

1. Polypharmacy — elders taking multiple drugs for chronic illnesses.

2. Low health literacy — misunderstanding dosage or timing.

3. Cultural differences — combining Western and traditional medicines without guidance.

4. Access barriers — distance to pharmacies or lack of consultation opportunities.

For example, a patient taking insulin, herbal teas, and an antibiotic may not realize these could interact, affecting blood sugar or absorption.

What to Do on “Check Your Meds Day”

1. Gather all medications:
   Prescription drugs, vitamins, herbal supplements, and over-the-counter medicines.
   

2. Bring them to your pharmacist or clinic:
   Ask questions like:

• Do I still need all of these?

• Are there side effects or interactions?

• Is this the right dose?
  

3. Dispose of expired drugs safely:
   Many tribal and community health centers host Medication Take-Back Days or provide drop boxes.
   

4. Update your medication list:
   Keep a simple list on your phone or paper with names, doses, and schedules.

Building Safer Medication Habits

• Use pill organizers to track doses.

• Ask providers to explain directions in plain language.

• Keep all prescriptions at one pharmacy if possible.

• Tell your doctor about any herbal or traditional medicines you use.

Community Education Opportunities

Community workshops can teach:

• Safe storage to protect children and pets.

• How to read prescription labels.

• Recognizing signs of overdose or adverse reactions.

Elders’ circles or women’s groups can share experiences and encourage regular medication reviews.

The Heart of the Message

Medication safety is about respect — for your body, your healer, and your medicine.
By checking your meds, you honor both modern science and traditional healing.

This October, take a few minutes to protect your health — and keep balance in your life through safe, informed care.