Charts of U.S. Spending on Prescription Drugs
by Emily
on March 5, 2008
| SIDEBAR: Consumer Spending on Drugs Is Increasing |
Spending on:
|
1997 amount
|
2004 amount
|
% increase
|
Outpatient prescription drug
|
$72 billion
|
$191 billion
|
165
|
| Prescription drugs for those over 65 (average annual) |
$819
|
$1914
|
134
|
| Prescription drugs for those under 65 (average annual) |
$347
|
$838
|
141
|
| Out-of-pocket prescription drugs for those over 65 (average annual) |
$483
|
$1027
|
113
|
| Out-of-pocket prescription drugs for those under 65 (average annual) |
$143
|
$304
|
113
|
Average annual # of prescription purchases:
|
1997 amount
|
2004 amount
|
% increase
|
| nationwide |
1.9 billion |
2.9 billion |
53 |
| among drug purchasers over 65 |
21.9 |
30.8 |
41 |
| among drug purchasers under 65 |
8.8 |
12.6 |
43 |
| SIDEBAR: Top spending by U.S. adults on prescription drugs by class of drugs in 2005 |
Type of Drug
|
Amount Spent Nationwide
|
| Metabolic: to lower blood sugar, reduce cholesterol, etc. |
$36 billion |
| Cardiovascular: to reduce high blood pressure and treat heart conditions |
$33 billion |
| Central nervous system: including pain killers, sleep aids and to treat ADD |
$26 billion |
| Antidepressants and antipsychotics |
$17 billion |
| Gastrointestinal: including antacids and laxatives |
$15 billion |
TOTAL
|
$127 billion (out of total $199 billion spent on all outpatient prescriptions)
|
