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Errant lifestyle costs Americans $71 billion a year for medications
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American prescription drug toll: $208.1 billion a year.
The yearly tally for money spent on prescription medication is up to $208.1 billion and $71 billion – 34.1 percent – is spent to control illnesses that, for the most part, could be avoided through healthy eating, exercise and other positive lifestyle practices.
These include drugs to control weight, diabetes and problems associated with heart disease, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
The statistics were released this week by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and are based on adults age 18 and older.
Spending was highest -- $38 billion – for a class of medication termed metabolic drugs, which includes drugs to control cholesterol and diabetes and promote weight loss. An estimated 28.9 percent of American adults are taking these drugs with a mean cost per prescription of $86.90.
Another $30 billion was spent on drugs to control blood pressure and other problems associated with cardiovascular disease. An estimated 38.9 percent of the population is taking these drugs with a mean cost per prescription of $46.54.
The rest of the breakdown includes:
Central nervous system drugs, including pain medication: $28 billion. Approximately 45.5 percent of Americans are taking these medications with a mean cost per prescription of $62.59
Psychotherapeutic drugs, including medication to control depression: $17.5 billion. Approximately 16.9 percent of the population is taking these drugs with a mean cost of $91.54 per prescription.
Hormones used for osteoporosis, menopausal symptoms, cancer treatment and other medical problems: $14 billion. Approximately 29.7 percent of adults are taking these medications with a mean cost of $48.15 per prescription.
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