Rising health care costs continue to be a major concern for everyone from patients to policymakers.6 In 2013, the total national health expenditures were $2.9 trillion and the national health costs per capita were $9,255. Half of healthcare costs were spent on physician and hospital care (52.2%).3 Compared to the funds spent on doctors and hospitals, prescription drug therapy is a bargain, only 9.3 percent.8,3 Pharmaceuticals, an integral part of medical treatment, may keep patients healthier and extend or save lives. In many situations, proper pharmaceutical use is documented to save money by avoiding costly hospitalization, emergency room use, moving to a nursing home or repeat visits to specialists.11
An estimated 4.3 billion retail prescriptions
An estimated 4.3 billion retail prescriptions