Therapeutic Drug Use
(Data are for the U.S.)
- Percent of persons using at least one prescription drug in the past month: 47.9% (2005-2008)
- Percent of persons using three or more prescription drugs in the past month: 21.4% (2005-2008)
- Percent of persons using five or more prescription drugs in the past month: 10.5% (2005-2008)
Source: Health, United States, 2011, table 99 [PDF - 9.8 MB]
Physician office visits
- Number of drugs ordered or provided: 2.6 billion
- Percent of visits involving drug therapy: 74.4%
- Most frequently prescribed therapeutic classes:
- Analgesics
- Antihyperlipidemic agents
- Antidepressants
Source: National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2009 Summary Tables, tables 21, 22, 23 [PDF - 382 KB]
Hospital outpatient department visits
- Number of drugs ordered or provided: 255.0 million
- Percent of visits involving drug therapy: 75.5%
- Most frequently prescribed therapeutic classes
- Analgesics
- Antidepressants
- Antidiabetic agents
Hospital emergency department visits
- Number of drugs ordered or provided: 267.7 million
- Percent of visits involving drug therapy: 78%
- Most frequently prescribed therapeutic classes
- analgesics
- Antiemetic or antivertigo agents
- Minerals and electrolytes
More Data
- Prescription Drug Use Continues to Increase: U.S. Prescription Drug Data for 2007-2008 [PDF - 658 KB]
- Search Tables for Drug Use in Health Data Interactive
- Selected prescription drug classes used in the past month, by sex and age Health, United States, 2011, table 100 [PDF - 9.8 MB]
Contact Us:
- National Center for Health Statistics
3311 Toledo Rd
Hyattsville, MD 20782 - 1 (800) 232-4636
- cdcinfo@cdc.gov