Therapeutic 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. Table RxUse and NCHS Data Query System, Prescription Medication Use Tables One or more, Three or more, Five or more.

• 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]

• Number of drugs given or prescribed: 361.3 million
• Percent of visits involving drug therapy: 76.2%
• Most frequently prescribed therapeutic classes
  • Analgesics
  • Minerals and electrolytes
  • Antiemetic or antivertigo agents

Source: National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2021 National Summary Tables, table 19, 20 [PDF – 830 KB]

• Ambulatory Health Care Data
• National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
• Food and Drug Administration
• National Institutes of Health