Therapeutic Drug Use

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Data are for the U.S.

Prescription drug use
  • Percent of people using at least one prescription drug in the past 30 days: 49.9% (2017-March 2020)
  • Percent of people using three or more prescription drugs in the past 30 days: 24.7% (2017-March 2020)
  • Percent of persons using five or more prescription drugs in the past 30 days: 13.5% (2017-March 2020)

Source: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Published by: Health, United States. and NCHS Data Query System, Prescription Medication Use Tables , , .

Physician office visits
  • Number of drugs provided or prescribed: 1.0 billion
  • Percent of visits involving drug therapy: 71.9%
  • Most frequently prescribed therapeutic classes:
    • Analgesics
    • Antihyperlipidemic agents
    • Vitamins

Source: National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2019 National Summary Tables, tables 20, 22 [PDF – 865 KB]

Hospital emergency department visits
  • Number of drugs given or prescribed: 407.5 million
  • Percent of visits involving drug therapy: 77.4%
  • Most frequently prescribed therapeutic classes
    • Analgesics
    • Minerals and electrolytes
    • Antiemetic or antivertigo agents

Source: National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2022 National Summary Tables, table 19, 20 [PDF – 1 MB]

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