Every day is a chance to put your health first

It’s always a good time to start prioritizing your health and wellbeing. One of the simplest and most impactful ways to start is by taking stock of your health essentials and organizing your medicine cabinet. From decluttering expired medications to ensuring you have essential supplies on hand, here’s a quick guide to set you and your family up for success all year long.

Clean out your medicine cabinet

It’s easy for the medicine cabinet to become a place where clutter accumulates – expired medications, half-used prescriptions, and items you just no longer use. Not only does this make it harder to find what you need, but it can also pose health risks.

Start by carefully reviewing the expiration dates on all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Once you’ve identified expired or unneeded items, make sure to dispose of them responsibly. Many pharmacies and local organizations provide safe medication disposal programs. At the same time, organize your remaining medications by grouping similar items together so that they are easy to find in moments of need.

Stock up on the essentials

Avoid late-night pharmacy runs by keeping your home stocked with common medicine cabinet must-haves. Here’s a quick checklist to get you started:

• Pain relievers: Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and ibuprofen (Advil®)
• Cold and flu: Decongestants, antihistamines, throat lozenges, cough medicine
• Gastrointestinal aids: Antacids, anti-diarrheal medication, laxatives
• First aid supplies: Bandages, gauze pads, antibiotic ointment
• Allergy medications: Loratadine (Claritin®), hydrocortisone cream, Benadryl®
• At-home health tests: COVID-19 or combination COVID-19 and flu diagnostic tests, especially for kids.

If your plan offers coverage, many of these items are now conveniently available through Express Scripts® Pharmacy, allowing you to order what you need and have it delivered directly to your door. This includes at-home COVID-19 tests from Express Scripts® Pharmacy or a participating network pharmacy. Log in to check your plan’s coverage and copay information.

Store your medications properly

Safe and effective medication storage is key to preventing accidents and ensuring your medications work as intended. Whether it’s prescription medication, OTC medication, vitamins, or supplements, improper use or storage can lead to dangerous consequences.

To minimize these risks, always store medications in their original containers in a cool, dry, and dark location, such as a pantry or cabinet outside the bathroom, that’s up, away, and out of sight. Heat, cold, light, and moisture can decrease a medication’s potency.

Plan for prescription refills and renewals

The last thing you want is to run out of your medication when you need it most. To avoid interruptions, take a moment to review your prescriptions. Check how many refills you have left and note any upcoming renewal dates so you can schedule provider visits in advance if necessary.

With Express Scripts® Pharmacy, managing your prescriptions is easier than ever. Our convenient mobile app helps you track your refills, set up automatic refills, and receive refill reminders when it’s time to reorder. Need a medication renewal? We’ll let you know in advance when you’re out of refills and need to renew your prescription. We can even reach out to your doctor on your behalf to get a new prescription if an appointment isn’t needed. Plus, with options for free home delivery, you can have your medications shipped directly to your door, eliminating the hassle of last-minute pharmacy trips.

We’re here to help

We hope these tips help inspire you to take control of your health and stay prepared for common health needs all year round. And if you have any questions or concerns, our dedicated team of pharmacists is available 24/7 365 days a year to help. Wishing you and your family good health and peace of mind today and every day.