Use of Prescription Drugs Sharply Increased in the Last 10 Years, CDC Says
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The use of prescription drugs is on the increase, according to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Studies undertaken revealed that 48% of Americans admitted to taking some form of medication during the past month, a 4% increase over the past 10 years. Multiple medication use increased considerably, as did the number of people using two or more drug prescriptions, which rose from 25% to 31%, while the use of five or more medications spiked from 6 to 11%.
Prescription Drugs and Demographics
Demographics and access to health care were two important factors that determined prescription drug use. Children aged 12 and younger were only 10% likely to use more than two forms of medication, and only 5% likely to use five or more. Adults aged over 60 years were 76% likely to use two or more drugs and 37% regularly took five or more.
Higher drug use among seniors represents a willingness to resort to pharmaceuticals to treat common conditions and advancements in medication to help increase life expectancy. However, the study also noted taking multiple medications may also lead to higher health care costs and a failure to take all prescribed medications.
Patients with access to health insurance were more than 2.5 times likely to take regular prescription drugs in the past month as opposed to those without access to drug benefits.
Spending on prescription drugs reached a staggering $231 billion in 2008, double the amount spent in 1999.
