State Drug Study Finds Prescription Use Skyrocketing

More adults are using prescription benefits than ever before, according to a study by one of the nation's largest drug-benefit firms.

Express Scripts found that the increased use of drugs for diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, stomach ailments and depression boosted spending by 50 percent, or $12 billion from 2000 to 2006. The study found an average annual increase of five prescriptions per person.

The state's with the highest per capita increases in spending for these drugs were: West Virginia, $196; Kentucky, $185; Alabama, $174; Mississippi, $162; Louisiana, $154; and Arkansas, $151.

The South continues to lead all regions in usage of drugs fighting diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, stomach problems as well as pain and inflammation.

Nationwide, use of drugs for diabetes and high blood pressure each increased by more than 75 percent while estrogen used dropped by half because of safety concerns.

While higher use may save money over the long term by preventing heart attacks, strokes and other problems and total healthcare cost implications remain unclear, encouraging the use of generic equivalents of the drugs and prevention could help slow expense growth.

"The findings show not just the human toll but also the economic toll," says Emily Cox, Express Scripts' senior director of research.

Adds John Buse of the American Diabetes Association, "The findings should spur prevention efforts. The good news is more people are taking these problems more seriously. The bad news is that this is a very expensive way of dealing with the problem."

The state variances found in the study corresponding to health factors in each state, such as differences in rates of smoking, diet and exercises. Mississippi, West Virginia and states with high rates of obesity had correspondingly higher use of drugs for cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Some other study findings:

• Oregon has the lowest rate of cholesterol drug use at 9.4 percent while Michigan is highest at 13.7 percent.
• Utah had the highest percentage of users of antidepressants, at 18 percent of residents —-- twice the rate of New York, the lowest state.
• The rising U.S. obesity rate is considered the most important factor increasing prescription drug use. From 2000 to 2005, the number of Americans having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater has increased from one in five to one in four.

Source: USA Today and Express Scripts