Annual Medication Review: What It Is and Why It Saves Lives

When you take multiple medications, an annual medication review, a yearly check-up of all your prescriptions and supplements with a healthcare provider. Also known as a medication reconciliation, it’s not just a formality—it’s a safety net. Every year, thousands of older adults end up in the hospital because of drug interactions, duplicate prescriptions, or pills they no longer need. An annual medication review catches these problems before they cause harm.

This isn’t just for seniors. Anyone taking five or more medications—whether for diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, or chronic pain—should have one. Your pharmacist, doctor, or nurse will look at everything: pills, patches, vitamins, herbal supplements, even over-the-counter painkillers. They check for drug interactions, when two or more medicines react in ways that reduce effectiveness or cause dangerous side effects, like how NSAIDs can spike blood pressure in people already on heart meds. They also spot geriatric prescribing, the use of drugs that are risky for older adults, even if they were fine when you were younger. Think of the Beers Criteria—those are the lists doctors use to avoid dangerous drugs in people over 65.

Many people don’t realize they’re taking something they no longer need. A pill for a past infection. A sleep aid that’s been sitting in the cabinet for years. A statin prescribed after a heart scare that’s now unnecessary. An annual medication review cuts the clutter. It can lower your monthly bill, reduce side effects like dizziness or stomach upset, and even improve your energy. It’s not about stopping meds—it’s about making sure every pill you take still has a reason to be there.

You’ll find real stories here about how people fixed their medication lists, saved hundreds a year, and stopped feeling foggy or tired all the time. You’ll see how pharmacists catch errors most doctors miss. You’ll learn what questions to ask during your review—and what to bring with you (yes, bring all your bottles). This collection isn’t theory. It’s what happens when people stop guessing and start checking.