Therapeutic Drug Use

(Data are for the U.S.)

 

• Percent of persons using at least one prescription drug in the past month: 46.5% (2001-2004)

Source:  Health, United States, 2008, table 98

 

Physician office visits

• Number of drugs ordered or provided: 1.9 billion
• Percent of visits involving drug therapy: 71%
• Most frequently prescribed therapeutic classes:
  • Analgesics
  • Antihyperlipidemic agents
  • Antidepressants

Source: National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2006 Summary, tables 22, 23

 

Hospital outpatient department visits

• Number of drugs ordered or provided: 247.7 million
• Percent of visits involving drug therapy: 75%
• Most frequently prescribed therapeutic classes
  • analgesics
  • antidepressants
  • antidiabetic agents

Source: National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2006 Outpatient Department Summary, tables 19, 20

 

Hospital emergency department visits

• Number of drugs ordered or provided: 212.1  million
• Percent of visits involving drug therapy: 77%
• Most frequently prescribed therapeutic classes
  • analgesics
  • Antiemetic or antivertigo agents
  • Antihistamines

Source: National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2006 Emergency Department Summary, table 18, 19, 20

 

More Data

• Selected prescription and nonprescription drugs recorded during physician office and hospital outpatient department visits by age and sex Health, United States, 2008, table 97