Charts of U.S. Spending on Prescription Drugs
| 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) |
||
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