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Published in: PharmacoEconomics 3/2006

01-03-2006 | Short Communication

Trends in Outpatient Prescription Drug Use and Related Costs in the US

1998–2003

Authors: Diane K. Wysowski, Laura A. Governale, Joslyn Swann

Published in: PharmacoEconomics | Issue 3/2006

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Abstract

Objective

To present a brief synopsis of trends in the number of prescriptions and retail costs of outpatient drugs dispensed in the US between 1998 and 2003.

Methods

Data were extracted from IMS Health, the National Prescription Audit Plus™ and the National Disease and Therapeutic Index™ databases.

Results

In 1998, 2.7 billion outpatient prescriptions were dispensed versus 3.6 billion in 2003. This equates to a 33.3% increase over the 6-year period. Of the top 20 most dispensed drugs by volume, 40% were launched in the 1990s or 2000s. Retail costs for the total market of dispensed outpatient prescription drugs were $US96.1 billion in 1998 and $US196 billion in 2003, a 104% increase. Of the top 20 most dispensed drugs by retail cost, all were tradename drugs and were launched in the 1990s or 2000s.

Conclusions

These data indicate a large increase in the US over a short time period in dispensed outpatient prescriptions and their associated retail costs.
Footnotes
1
The use of trade names is for product identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.
 
Literature
1.
go back to reference IMS Health. National Prescription Audit Plus™, 1998–2003. [Extracted July 2004] IMS Health. National Prescription Audit Plus™, 1998–2003. [Extracted July 2004]
2.
go back to reference IMS Health. National Disease and Therapeutic Index™, 1998–2003. [Extracted October 2004] IMS Health. National Disease and Therapeutic Index™, 1998–2003. [Extracted October 2004]
3.
go back to reference Wysowski DK, Governale L. Use of menopausal hormones in the United States, 1992 through June, 2003. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2005; 14: 171–176PubMedCrossRef Wysowski DK, Governale L. Use of menopausal hormones in the United States, 1992 through June, 2003. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2005; 14: 171–176PubMedCrossRef
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go back to reference Consumer price index: all urban consumers (CPI-U). Table CUUR0000SA0, 1998–2004. Washington, DC: US Department of Labor, US Bureau of Labor Statistics [online]. Available from URL: http://www.bls.gov/data. [Accessed 2004 Sep 1] Consumer price index: all urban consumers (CPI-U). Table CUUR0000SA0, 1998–2004. Washington, DC: US Department of Labor, US Bureau of Labor Statistics [online]. Available from URL: http://​www.​bls.​gov/​data. [Accessed 2004 Sep 1]
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go back to reference Smith C. Retail prescription drug spending in the national health accounts. Health Affairs 2004; 23: 160–167PubMedCrossRef Smith C. Retail prescription drug spending in the national health accounts. Health Affairs 2004; 23: 160–167PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Trends in Outpatient Prescription Drug Use and Related Costs in the US
1998–2003
Authors
Diane K. Wysowski
Laura A. Governale
Joslyn Swann
Publication date
01-03-2006
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
PharmacoEconomics / Issue 3/2006
Print ISSN: 1170-7690
Electronic ISSN: 1179-2027
DOI
https://doi.org/10.2165/00019053-200624030-00003

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