Atlanta—In case pharmacists are wondering why they are so busy, here’s a possible answer: They are filling a lot of prescriptions each month, for nearly half the population of the United Sates.

A report on results of the latest National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey noted that, during 2015–2016, nearly one-half of the U.S. population had used one or more prescription drugs in the past 30 days (45.8%).

The survey also found that prescription-drug use increased with age, and a higher percentage of females (50.0%) than males (41.5%) used prescription drugs, although the pattern varied by age.

For example, prescription-drug use was higher in males among children aged 0 to 11 years but higher in females among adults aged 20 to 59 years, but there were no differences by sex among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years or adults aged 60 years and over.

Information was published on the website of the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

The NCHS listed, by age group, the most commonly used types of prescription drugs. They were:
• Bronchodilators for children aged 0 to 11 years (used by 4.3% of children),
• Central nervous system stimulants for adolescents aged 12 to 19 years (6.2%),
• Antidepressants for adults aged 20 to 59 years (11.4%), and
• Lipid-lowering drugs for adults aged 60 years and older (46.3%).

From 2007–2008 through 2015–2016, prescription-drug use decreased for the overall population and for children aged 0 to 11 years, the agency reports, although it had increased from 1999–2000 through 2007–2008.

At the same time, prescription-drug use increased with age, from 18.0% of children under age 12 years to 85.0% of adults aged 60 years and over. Prescription drug use was highest among non-Hispanic white persons followed by non-Hispanic black persons, and lowest among non-Hispanic Asian and Hispanic persons, the CDC points out.

“Monitoring prescription drug use patterns at the population level can inform research and clinical practice,” the authors explain. “These patterns may shift over time in response to changing health needs, updated clinical guidelines, policy changes, and other factors.”

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