Most medical errors don’t happen because of bad doctors—they happen because of bad information.

When an aging parent sees multiple specialists, the "Medication List" in the computer is almost always wrong. One doctor adds a pill, another changes a dose, and suddenly, you’re navigating a dangerous, uncoordinated, corner of our healthcare system.

My advice? Perform a Pharmacist’s Audit.

Don't rely on the printout. Grab a bag, put every single bottle (prescriptions, vitamins, and herbals) inside, and bring them to the pharmacy and ask then to do a Brown Bag review—this is a well known phrase amongst pharmacists. Seeing the actual bottles allows them to spot duplicates and dangerous interactions that the computer might miss. That will give you a chance to ask more informed question at the next doctor’s appointment.

In my new book, Fewer Pills, More Paws, I dedicate a whole chapter to mastering this "Audit." We’re just weeks away from the book launch, and I can’t wait to share these tools with you.

Do you have a Brown Bag story? Hit reply and let me know the biggest surprise you or someone else has found in a medicine cabinet. (no private information pleases 😉)