April Take Back Day Is Coming: Identify Unused Medications Now
Spring Take Back Day is approaching, but households do not need to wait until the event to sort medications. March is a good time to identify products that are expired, clearly unused, or awaiting clarification and to find a California year-round take-back option if you are ready to dispose of them sooner. National Prescription Drug […]
Medi-Cal Changes Later in 2026: Why Caregivers Should Keep Member Information Current
California’s federal Medi-Cal changes begin later in 2026, but caregiver preparation can start now. The practical March task is to make sure the county can reach the member, the right renewal notices are being opened, and the pharmacy has the current billing information before a refill question becomes urgent. In January 2026, the California Department […]
California Central-Fill Rulemaking: Questions Patients Can Ask About Where a Prescription Is Prepared
California’s Board of Pharmacy was still taking public comment on proposed central-fill changes during March 2026. For patients, the practical question is not how the regulation is drafted—it is knowing which pharmacy received the prescription, which pharmacy prepared it, where it will be dispensed, and whom to call with a question. A prescription can involve […]
Create a Wallet Medication Card for Emergencies and Caregiver Handoffs
A full medication list may live in a binder or phone, but an emergency or caregiver handoff may happen when those are not available. A compact wallet card gives the next caregiver, pharmacist or emergency team a verified starting point. A medication list is most useful when it can be reached at the moment someone […]
Allergy Season: Avoid Duplicate Ingredients Across Prescription and OTC Products
Allergy season can add tablets, nasal sprays, eye drops and “allergy + congestion” products to an existing prescription list. Before adding another product, compare the active ingredients so two different package names do not create an unintended overlap. Spring allergies can change a medication routine quickly. A person who already uses a prescription nasal spray […]
Spring Travel With an Older Adult: Pack a Medication List, Prescriber Contacts and Refills
A trip is easier to manage when the medication plan is organized before departure. For an older adult taking several prescriptions, pack one current medication list, the right contact numbers, enough labeled medicine for the planned trip, and a clear plan for refills, storage and insurance questions. Older adults often manage several medicines at once, […]
Spring-Clean the Medicine Cabinet: Update Lists and Remove Expired Products
A spring medicine-cabinet check is more useful when it starts with the medication record. Match every current prescription to the list, add OTC medicines and supplements, flag old strengths or uncertain entries, and only then separate expired or unused products for appropriate disposal. Spring cleaning often starts with shelves, drawers and cabinets. For medicines, the […]
Daylight Saving Time: Plan Medication Timing Changes Before the Clock Moves
California clocks move forward one hour on March 8. Before Saturday night, compare medication alarms, pill organizers, caregiver notes and label directions so a missing clock hour does not turn into a guessed dose time. Daylight saving time changes the clock, not the prescription. The challenge is that medication routines are often attached to clock […]
Sacramento-Region Measles Outbreak: A Caregiver Checklist for Vaccine Records and Exposure Questions
CDPH reported six recent measles cases in Placer and Sacramento counties on March 5. Caregivers across California can use the alert to verify vaccine records now and know exactly who to contact if an exposure notice arrives. On March 5, 2026, the California Department of Public Health reported six recent measles cases in Placer and […]
Poison Prevention Month: Medication Storage Rules Every California Household Should Recheck | Las Palmas Pharmacy
National Poison Prevention Week falls in March, making this a practical time to recheck where prescriptions, OTC medicines, vitamins, supplements and pill organizers are stored—and whether visitors can bring medicines into a child’s reach without realizing it. Medication storage problems usually develop gradually. A daily medicine moves from a cabinet to a nightstand. Vitamins stay […]