Prescription Drug Spending 

According to a report by the National Institute for Health Care Management, the top 50 best-selling prescription drugs were responsible for 44 percent ($58.2 billion) of all retail drug spending in 2000. Spending on outpatient retail prescription drugs rose 18.8 percent from $111.1 billion in 1999 to $131.9 billion in 2000. Half of this increase was attributable to just eight categories of medications, including antidepressants. Last year, pharmacies dispensed 95 percent more Celexa.

To read the report go to the NIHCM website and select:

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