Assured Rx

Start a Storage System: Keep all your medicines in one spot -- on their own shelf or in a labeled bin. Put them somewhere cool and dry where you're sure to see them, but out of the reach of kids and pets. Check the labels every 6 months and get rid of drugs past the expiration date. Throw away meds that are left over from illnesses you don't have anymore. Ask your pharmacist how to safely dispose of them.

Find out how the medication should be stored. Most people leave their medications in their bathroom medicine cabinet. This is arguably the worst place in the house for pills, because the humidity in a bathroom can make them break down more easily. Other drugs need to be refrigerated. Find out about yours before you leave the drug store.