{"id":40752,"date":"2021-09-01T14:51:48","date_gmt":"2021-09-01T18:51:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=40752"},"modified":"2026-03-27T15:52:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T19:52:10","slug":"prescription-drug-statistics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/prescription-drug-statistics\/","title":{"rendered":"Prescription drug statistics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data show that prescription drug expenditures have been increasing in the U.S. nearly every year since the turn of the millennium. And prescription drug use is projected to continue increasing into the foreseeable future. The trends are clear: More drugs are available than ever before, more people are using them almost every year, and prescription drug misuse is still a significant problem.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"prescription-drug-statistics-worldwide\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescription drug statistics worldwide<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescription drug expenditures in the U.S. will reach approximately $557 billion in 2026 (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/184914\/prescription-drug-expenditures-in-the-us-since-1960\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Statista<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2024<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the last five years, global prescription medication use increased by 434 billion daily doses, and is expected to increase by another 154 billion by 2029 (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iqvia.com\/insights\/the-iqvia-institute\/reports-and-publications\/reports\/understanding-the-use-of-medicines-in-the-us-2025\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The IQVIA Institute<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2025<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around 64 million people around the world have drug use disorders (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unodc.org\/documents\/data-and-analysis\/WDR_2025\/WDR25_Special_points_of_interest.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">United Nations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2025<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Opioid abuse accounts for an estimated approximately 450,000 of the 600,000 deaths attributed to drug use globally. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news\/item\/16-12-2025-who-s-new-guidance-on-maintaining-opioid-agonist-maintenance-treatment-as-an-essential-health-service\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">World Health Organization<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2025<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Approximately 2 billion people worldwide lack access to essential medicines. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ohchr.org\/en\/documents\/thematic-reports\/ahrc5929-comprehensive-report-access-medicines-vaccines-and-other-health\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">United Nations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2025<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"which-country-takes-the-most-prescription-drugs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which country takes the most prescription drugs?<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Western Europe and Japan have more than double the prescription drug use (per capita) than most other regions. (The IQVIA Institute, 2025)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescription drug use in Latin America and Asia has grown faster than in other regions, a trend that is projected to continue through 2029. (The IQVIA Institute, 2025)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Annual per capita spending on pharmaceuticals by country is as follows (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/266141\/pharmaceutical-spending-per-capita-in-selected-countries\/?srsltid=AfmBOopohFX_-4-zm-DHYlOqXs1WDjGp0jpHOQ43qBDeGsigV0hVCW3d\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Statista<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2025):<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">United States: $1,491<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Germany: $995<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Switzerland: $962<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Canada: $893<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Japan: $847<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Korea: $789<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greece: $787<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">France: $777<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slovenia: $728<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Austria: $719<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"prescription-drug-statistics-in-the-u-s\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescription drug statistics in the U.S.<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In total, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved over 23,000 different prescription drugs for marketing (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/media\/182749\/download\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FDA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2024<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around 68% of Americans report taking at least one prescription drug daily, including 26% who say they take 4 or more daily. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/civicscience.com\/trend-to-watch-the-percentage-of-americans-taking-four-or-more-prescription-medications-daily-continues-to-rise\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CivicScience<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2025<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There were an estimated 4.98 billion retail prescriptions filled nationwide in 2025, up from 4.9 billion in 2024 and 4.83 billion in 2023. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/261303\/total-number-of-retail-prescriptions-filled-annually-in-the-us\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Statista<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2025<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From 2023 to 2024, prescription drug spending in the U.S. increased 10.2% to $805.9 billion. It\u2019s expected to increase by 9\u201311% in 2025. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/40263109\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2025<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2024, 13.8 million Americans reported misusing prescription psychotherapeutic drugs, including:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7.6 million who misused prescription opioids<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4.6 million who misused prescription tranquilizers\/sedatives<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3.9 million who misused prescription stimulants<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/data\/sites\/default\/files\/reports\/rpt56287\/2024-nsduh-annual-national-report.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SAMHSA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2025<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Approximately 8 million people over 12 reported misusing prescription pain relievers in 2024, and around 3.9 million people reported misusing prescription CNS stimulants (SAMHSA, 2025)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"most-common-prescription-drugs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most common prescription drugs<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.definitivehc.com\/resources\/healthcare-insights\/top-outpatient-prescription-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2025 data from Definitive Healthcare<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, here are the top 10 most commonly prescribed drugs in the U.S., and the percentage of claims they made up:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atorvastatin calcium (Lipitor): 2.74% (also one of the most prescribed drugs in the world)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amlodipine besylate (Norvasc): 1.86%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid): 1.83%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lisinopril (Zestril): 1.79%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gabapentin (Neurontin): 1.61%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Losartan potassium (Cozaar): 1.39%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Omeprazole (Prilosec): 1.39%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amoxicillin: 1.22%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Metformin: 1.21%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sertraline (Zoloft): 1.20%<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These were the most-filled prescriptions among SingleCare users in 2025:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/tadalafil\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tadalafil<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Cialis)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/phentermine-hcl\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Phentermine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Lomaira)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/sildenafil-citrate\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sildenafil<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Viagra, Revatio)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/amlodipine-besylate\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amlodipine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Norvasc)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/atorvastatin-calcium\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atorvastatin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Lipitor)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/lisinopril\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lisinopril<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Prinivil, Zestril)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/amphetamine-dextroamphetamine\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amphetamine-dextroamphetamine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Adderall, Adderall XR)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/levothyroxine-sodium\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Levothyroxine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Synthroid, Euthyrox, Levoxyl, Unithroid)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/escitalopram-oxalate\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Escitalopram oxalate<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Lexapro)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/fluoxetine-hcl\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fluoxetine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Prozac)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/most-prescribed-drugs\/\"><b>See the full list here<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"prescription-drug-statistics-by-age\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescription drug statistics by age<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around 64.8% of adults 18 years and older report taking prescription drugs during the year prior, including:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Approximately 38.9% of men and 57.8% of women 18\u201344 years old\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Approximately 67.1% of men and 75.7% of women 45\u201364 years old\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Approximately 89.0% of men and 89.3% of women 65 years and older<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mmwr\/volumes\/72\/wr\/mm7216a7.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CDC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2023<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the average number of prescriptions per person by age varies depending on the source, U.S. adults 55 and older are the most likely to report taking at least one prescription and more than three prescriptions daily. People ages 18\u201324 are the least likely to take any. (CivicScience, 2025)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"prescription-drug-statistics-by-race-and-ethnicity\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescription drug statistics by race and ethnicity<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">White populations have the highest prescription use and spending per capita, while Asian or Pacific Islander, Black, and Hispanic populations\u2019 per-capita prescription use and spending are lower relative to their population sizes. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12334964\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JAMA Health Forum<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2025<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Black populations have fewer-than-average prescriptions per prevalent case, while Asian and Pacific Islanders have higher-than-average prescriptions per prevalent case, and Hispanic populations are around the national average. (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JAMA Health Forum, <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2025)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2023, 5.7% of Native Americans reported misusing prescription painkillers in the past year, compared to 4.0% of multiracial people, 3.7% of black people, 3.5% of Pacific Islanders, 3.0% of white people, and 1.7% of Asian people (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/data\/sites\/default\/files\/reports\/rpt47095\/National%20Report\/National%20Report\/2023-nsduh-annual-national.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SAMHSA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2023<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Native American adults were also more likely to report misusing CNS stimulants (6.4%), followed by 3.8% of white people, 3.7% of multiracial people, 3.2% of Hispanic people, and 1.4% of Asians (SAMHSA, 2023).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After events related to opioid use, White patients received medication for opioid use disorder 80% more often than Black patients and 25% more often than Hispanic patients (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nejm.org\/doi\/full\/10.1056\/NEJMsa2212412\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The New England Journal of Medicine<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2023<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"prescription-drug-price-trends\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescription drug price trends<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2024, the prices of over 700 brand-name drugs increased by an average of 5.4%, and the prices of around 40 generic drugs increased by an average of 39%. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ipdanalytics.com\/sample-reports-1\/u.s-insights%3A-january-2024-drug-price-changes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IPD Analytics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2024<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pharmaceutical spending increased 10.2% from 2023 to 2024, hitting $805.9 billion total (American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 2025)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the next five years, it\u2019s estimated that total spending on medications will grow 5\u20138%. (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The IQVIA Institute, 2025)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From 2025\u20132033, per capita out-of-pocket drug spending is expected to increase at an average rate of 3.4%. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthsystemtracker.org\/chart-collection\/how-much-is-health-spending-expected-to-grow\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">KFF<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2025)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 25 most common drugs for people with Medicare Part D have increased in price by 98% in the past 11 years. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/medicare\/medicare-part-d-drug-prices-doubled-2025\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AARP<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2025)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The price of 4,264 medicines increased between 2022 and 2023 (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/aspe.hhs.gov\/reports\/changes-list-prices-prescription-drugs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Department of Health and Human Services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2023<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pharmaceutical companies launched new drugs in 2023 at prices 35% higher than in 2022 (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/healthcare-pharmaceuticals\/prices-new-us-drugs-rose-35-2023-more-than-previous-year-2024-02-23\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reuters<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2024<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around 21% of US adults report that they have not filled a prescription because of the cost. Approximately 23% say they have used an OTC alternative instead because of high prices. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kff.org\/health-costs\/americans-challenges-with-health-care-costs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">KFF<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2025<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"prescription-insurance-statistics\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescription insurance statistics<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A 2018 study found that 1 in 4 U.S. prescriptions were cheaper when patients paid cash instead of using insurance. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/schaeffer.usc.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/2022.05_US-Consumers-Overpay-for-Generic-Drugs.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">USC Schaeffer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2018)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The adoption of paying cash prices for prescriptions is rising.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2019, only 5% of prescriptions were purchased without insurance. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kff.org\/health-costs\/state-indicator\/total-retail-rx-drugs\/?dataView=1&amp;currentTimeframe=0&amp;sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Location%22,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">KFF<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2019)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, according to a 2022 survey, 61% of respondents had reportedly paid cash for prescriptions even though they were covered by insurance. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/prescryptive.com\/survey-of-independent-pharmacy-decision-makers-and-consumers-reveals-significant-challenges-and-opportunities-for-innovation\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescryptive<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2022)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A 2023 study found that 20%-40% of common generic prescriptions were cheaper with a discount card instead of insurance. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/09_15_2023\/utoledo-study-finds-insurance-doesnt-always-make-drugs-cheaper\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The University of Toledo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2023)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"singlecare-stats\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SingleCare stats<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SingleCare is a free discount card that can be applied to the cash price of a drug. These coupons are especially helpful for people who don\u2019t have insurance, when insurance doesn\u2019t cover a drug, or when insurance copays are higher than the drug&#8217;s cash price.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SingleCare saves an average of $132 per script and over $1,000 per year for families who regularly fill prescriptions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019ve helped 18 million people fill prescriptions in the past year.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/singlecare-prices\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">our best discounts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> include: Mounjaro, Zepbound, Trulicity, Januvia, Farxiga, Jardiance, Breztri Aerosphere, Xarelto, Eliquis, and Gemtesa.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/resources\/cheap-prescriptions\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cheapest prescriptions with SingleCare<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (consistently less than $10) include: levothyroxine, prednisone, ferosul, low-dose aspirin, loratadine, furosemide, and metformin ER.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"facts-about-prescription-drug-abuse\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Facts about prescription drug abuse<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/drugabusestatistics.org\/prescription-drug-abuse-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, around 13.8 million Americans over the age of 12 misuse prescription drugs, and around 7.6 million of them (55%) are addicted. Many experts regard it as an epidemic, especially for the most widely misused prescription medication: opioids.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2024, around 80,400 people died of drug overdoses, and around 54,700 of those deaths involved opioids, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jama\/article-abstract\/2835193\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">according to data from JAMA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. While many of these cases concern synthetic opioids like fentanyl, many also involve prescription opioids. The opioid crisis was named a public health emergency in 2017, and between then and 2023, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kff.org\/mental-health\/issue-brief\/opioid-deaths-fell-in-mid-2023-but-progress-is-uneven-and-future-trends-are-uncertain\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">opioid-related deaths rose by 67%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yet the issue doesn\u2019t just concern opioids like OxyContin and Vicodin. Other commonly misused drugs include <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/drug-classes\/benzodiazepines\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">benzodiazepines<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (like Valium or Xanax), barbiturates, and amphetamines for attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/adult-adhd-medication-treatment\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ADHD<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), like Adderall and Ritalin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The current prevalence of drug misuse is a multifaceted issue. It stems from psychological factors like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/mental-health-survey\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mental health disorders<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, stress, trauma, lack of coping skills, accessibility, and social norms; economic ones like poverty and lack of education; plus biological ones like genetic predispositions, brain chemistry, and neurobiological changes, according to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mindpath.com\/clinicians\/zishan-khan-md\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zishan Khan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, MD<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a triple board-certified psychiatrist at Mindpath.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"preventing-prescription-drug-misuse\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preventing prescription drug misuse<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are multiple links in the chain of prescription drug use, including the doctors who prescribe drugs, the organizations that regulate them, and the patients who take them. So, preventing misuse requires a multi-tiered approach.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"healthcare-providers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthcare providers<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the first lines of defense against drug misuse are the healthcare provider and pharmacist. They can help by only prescribing necessary drugs and clearly explaining how to take them, potential side effects, and other warnings and interactions. Healthcare providers should also monitor the patient closely and watch for signs of drug misuse, like frequent or unscheduled requests for refills, while pharmacists can keep an eye out for falsified prescriptions or other documents.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"organizations\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Organizations<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cPromoting mental health and emotional resilience can help individuals avoid turning to substances as a way to cope. Skills training in emotional regulation, stress management, and problem-solving can strengthen protective factors against addiction,\u201d Dr. Khan says. \u201cCommunity programs that promote social connection, healthy behaviors, and provide resources for individuals at greater risk can also be helpful,\u201d as can \u201censuring that individuals have access to mental health services for addressing issues like depression, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/anxiety-survey\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">anxiety<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and trauma.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides funding for community education and programs, among other things. Additionally, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugabuse.gov\/about-nida\/frequently-asked-questions\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Institute on Drug Abuse<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (NIDA) is a federal agency that\u2019s the world\u2019s largest supporter of drug abuse and addiction research. They distribute their research findings to the general public, policymakers, and researchers to help fight drug misuse. There are also non-profits like The National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ncapda.org\/about-us\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NCAPDA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), which promote community education and legislative action at the local, state, and federal levels.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"patients\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patients<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ultimately, the patient takes the medication and is responsible for taking it correctly. They can help prevent accidental or intentional misuse by sharing their complete medical history with their healthcare provider, especially if it includes previous issues with substance abuse. One of the best ways for patients to avoid the misuse of prescription drugs is to take prescribed medications exactly as directed for the minimum amount of time and to avoid the most addictive medications like sleeping pills, anti-anxiety type pills such as Xanax, and stimulants, says Christopher Johnston, MD, chief medical officer at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pinnacletreatment.com\/about-us\/our-team\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pinnacle Treatment Centers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in New Jersey.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"treating-prescription-drug-abuse\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Treating prescription drug abuse<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugabuse.gov\/publications\/research-reports\/misuse-prescription-drugs\/how-can-prescription-drug-addiction-be-treated\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Institute on Drug Abuse<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, behavioral treatments and medications are the two main drug use disorder treatment categories. Opioid addiction, for example, may require drugs like methadone or buprenorphine to deal with cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can help identify and change the thought patterns associated with drug addiction, while inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation can provide more intensive care.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cMany individuals with drug abuse issues also have co-occurring mental health disorders. Treatment programs that address both drug abuse and mental health conditions simultaneously are crucial for effective recovery,\u201d Dr. Khan says. \u201cThis is the approach I most recommend as a psychiatrist. You have to take everything into account and can\u2019t just focus on one aspect of what is leading to the addictive behaviors.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you or someone you know has found themselves in a drug abuse situation, know that help isn\u2019t far away. Seeking it out might be difficult, but it could save your life or the life of a loved one. You can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1-800-662-HELP (4357)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for free at any time if you need help with a mental or substance use disorder, or you can talk with your healthcare provider about treatment options.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"prescription-drug-questions-and-answers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescription drug questions and answers<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 id=\"what-percentage-of-the-population-takes-prescription-drugs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What percentage of the population takes prescription drugs?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A KFF survey of U.S. adults<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found that around 61% reported taking at least one prescription medication.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"how-many-prescription-drugs-are-prescribed-each-year\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How many prescription drugs are prescribed each year?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data from the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science indicates that over 6 billion prescriptions are written in the U.S. every year.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"how-many-prescriptions-does-the-average-american-take\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How many prescriptions does the average American take?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the CDC, more than 60% of Americans take at least one prescription medication per year, although the exact number varies by age group. For example, adults older than 65 generally take more medications than younger people.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"what-country-consumes-the-most-prescription-drugs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What country consumes the most prescription drugs?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The U.S. spends more per capita on prescription drugs than any other country, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthsystemtracker.org\/chart-collection\/how-do-prescription-drug-costs-in-the-united-states-compare-to-other-countries\/#Per%20capita%20prescribed%20medicine%20spending,%20U.S.%20dollars,%202004-2019\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">according to Peterson-KFF data<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"more-prescription-statistics\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More prescription statistics<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can find more statistics around specific drugs and drug classes on SingleCare:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/gabapentin-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gabapentin statistics<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/clomid-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clomid statistics<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/linzess-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Linzess statistics<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/mounjaro-statistics-2025\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mounjaro statistics<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/wegovy-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wegovy statistics<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/ozempic-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ozempic statistics<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/fentanyl-facts-and-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fentanyl statistics<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/opioid-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Opioid statistics<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/statin-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Statin statistics<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/insulin-statistics-2025\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insulin statistics<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/birth-control-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Birth control statistics<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/ssri-weight-gain-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SSRI weight gain statistics<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/es\/recursos\/recetas-medicamentos-estadisticas\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lea este art\u00edculo en espa\u00f1ol aqu\u00ed.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Data show that prescription drug expenditures have been increasing in the U.S. nearly every year since the turn of the millennium. And prescription drug use is projected to continue increasing into the foreseeable future. The trends are clear: More drugs are available than ever before, more people are using them almost every year, and prescription [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":41606,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4114],"tags":[16413],"coauthors":[8861],"class_list":["post-40752","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-singlecare-stats","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Prescription drug stats 2026: How common is prescription drug use?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Two-thirds of U.S. adults take prescription drugs. 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