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Therapeutic Drug Use

(Data are for U.S. for year indicated)

Percent of persons using at least one prescription drug in the past month: 45 (1999-2002)

Source: Health, United States, 2007, Table 96

Physician office visits

Number of drugs ordered or provided: 1.8 billion

Percent of visits involving drug therapy: 70.6

Average number of drugs ordered or provided per visit: 2.1

Most frequently prescribed therapeutic class: Analgesics

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

Number of drugs ordered or provided per visit: 3.2

Most frequently prescribed therapeutic class: analgesics

Source: National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2006 Outpatient Department Summary, Tables 19, 20, 21

Hospital emergency department visits

Number of drugs ordered or provided: 212.1  million

Percent of visits involving drug therapy: 91.3

Number of drugs ordered or provided per visit: 1.8

Most frequently prescribed therapeutic class: analgesics

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:  1995-96 and 2003-05

Source: Health, United States, 2007, Table 95

Related Links

National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey

Food and Drug Administration

National Institutes of Health

This page last reviewed September 23, 2008