44% Of Americans Take Prescription Drugs

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that some 44% of Americans take at least one type of prescription drug, up 5% from a similar report between 1988 and 1994. The report also noted that more than 15% of Americans take a minimum of three different prescription drugs.

Prescription drugs account for approximately about 10% of the total medical bills and are the fastest growing expenditure. Drug expenditures have risen a minimum of 15% every year since 1998.

Prescription drug use is increasing across the board with the amount used increasing with age. Women take more prescription drugs more than men (49% compared to 39%). 24.1% of people under the age of 18 take at least one prescription drug rising to 84% of people over the age of 65 taking a least one prescription drug, with 34.7% between age 18 and 44 and 62.1% between ages 45 to 64 taking prescription drugs.




With the rise in cost and increase of use of prescription drugs, your may want to read our article on how to Save on Prescription Drugs