Therapeutic Drug Use

• Percent of persons using at least one prescription drug in the past 30 days: 48.6% (2015-2018)
• Percent of persons using three or more prescription drugs in the past 30 days: 24% (2015-2018)
• Percent of persons using five or more prescription drugs in the past 30 days: 12.8% (2015-2018)

Source: Health, United States, 2019, table 39 [PDF – 9.8 MB]

• Number of drugs provided or prescribed: 860.4 million
• Percent of visits involving drug therapy: 68.7%
• Most frequently prescribed therapeutic classes:
  • Analgesics
  • Antihyperlipidemic agents
  • Antidepressants

Source: National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2018 National Summary Tables, tables 21, 23 [PDF – 793 KB]

• Number of drugs given or prescribed: 336 million
• Percent of visits involving drug therapy: 79.5%
• Most frequently prescribed therapeutic classes
  • Analgesics
  • Minerals and electrolytes
  • Antiemetic or antivertigo agents

Source: National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2018 National Summary Tables, table 20, 22

• Ambulatory Health Care Data
• National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
• Food and Drug Administration
• National Institutes of Health