Therapeutic Drug Use

(Data are for the U.S.)

 

• Percent of persons using at least one prescription drug in the past month: 47.9% (2005-2008)
• Percent of persons using three or more prescription drugs in the past month: 21.4% (2005-2008)
• Percent of persons using five or more prescription drugs in the past month: 10.5% (2005-2008)

Source: Health, United States, 2011, table 99 [PDF - 9.8 MB]

 

Physician office visits

• Number of drugs ordered or provided: 2.6 billion
• Percent of visits involving drug therapy: 74.4%
• Most frequently prescribed therapeutic classes:
  • Analgesics
  • Antihyperlipidemic agents
  • Antidepressants

Source: National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2009 Summary Tables, tables 21, 22, 23 [PDF - 382 KB]

 

Hospital outpatient department visits

• Number of drugs ordered or provided: 255.0 million
• Percent of visits involving drug therapy: 75.5%
• Most frequently prescribed therapeutic classes
  • Analgesics
  • Antidepressants
  • Antidiabetic agents

Source: National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2009 Outpatient Department Summary Tables, tables 18, 19, 20 [PDF - 330 KB]

 

Hospital emergency department visits

• Number of drugs ordered or provided: 267.7  million
• Percent of visits involving drug therapy: 78%
• Most frequently prescribed therapeutic classes
  • analgesics
  • Antiemetic or antivertigo agents
  • Minerals and electrolytes

Source: National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2009 Emergency Department Summary Tables, tables 20, 21, 22 [PDF - 481 KB]

 

More Data

• Prescription Drug Use Continues to Increase: U.S. Prescription Drug Data for 2007-2008 [PDF - 658 KB]
• Search Tables for Drug Use in Health Data Interactive
• Selected prescription drug classes used in the past month, by sex and age Health, United States, 2011, table 100 [PDF - 9.8 MB]