In a recent national study of prescription drug use, Texas ranked second in states with the least use of such drugs, coming in behind Alaska.

In a state-by-state study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, Texas filled an average of 8.7 per person last year, below the national average of 12.7.  While there was no trend to the states making up the lowest use states (Alaska, Texas, Washington D.C., New Mexico, and Maryland), the top five states were all in Appalachia and the south.  #5 to #1:  Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Kentucky.

The study only accounts for legally prescribed and obtained drugs through retail pharmacies.  Government data shows that of the 52 million Americans who have abused prescription drugs, more than half were obtained through family member of friend.  While the United States has 5% of the world's population, it accounts for 75% of its prescription drugs.  The U.S. and New Zealand are the only two nations that allow pharmaceutical companies to advertise on TV and print, and the U.S. allows businesses to determine prices while other governments negotiate prices with the pharmaceutical companies.  The U.S. also tops personal spending on prescription drugs, averaging $1,000 per person per year, 40% higher than Canada in second place.  A partial reason for the high reliance on prescription drugs in the nation's extreme rates of heart disease, C.O.P.D., and diabetes.

According to the NY Times, the most common prescriptions per age group are:

  • 12 and under - Asthma treatment
  • 13 to 19 - ADHD treatment
  • 20 to 59 - Antidepressants
  • 60 and over - Cholesterol-lowering treatment

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