In last weeks post I detailed the Top 10 prescription drugs for the US in 2008. And since I was half-way through before realizing it was non-generic only, I decided to complete it and follow up with this one.
In a follow-up post I’m going to get into the metrics a little more, comparing generic and non-generic.
Let me preface the descriptive nature of this post by saying it’s amazing we prescribe drugs at this rate. I knew we took too many prescription drugs. I knew we were too dependent on them. But actually looking at this data and what it says sheds light on the extent of the problem, which is why I’m writing a follow-up. So on with this one…
Forty percent of non-generic drugs are related, one way or another, to hyperinsulinemia. For generic drugs, it’s 50% and for the same conditions – metabolic syndrome. Table 1 shows Top 10 Generic Drugs by number of prescriptions (millions). Additionally, the table also shows total sales (billions) and rank (in parentheses).
Table 1. Top 10 Generic Drugs in US for 2008.
|
Drug |
Prescriptions (millions) |
Sales (billions) |
| Hydrocodone |
121.2 |
1.8 (#1) |
| Lisinopril |
69.8 |
0.69 (#14) |
| Simvastatin |
60.2 |
1.5 (#2) |
| Levothyroxine |
58.6 |
0.55 (#18) |
| Amoxicillin |
52.1 |
0.81 (#10) |
| Azithromycin |
49.3 |
1.3 (#3) |
| Hydrochlorothiazide |
47.1 |
0.29 (#39) |
| Alprazolam |
43.5 |
0.47 (#25) |
| Atenolol |
40.9 |
0.27 (#42) |
| Metformin |
40.1 |
0.54 (#21) |
Metabolic Syndrome Fab 5
The 50% of drugs related to metabolic syndrome (italicized in table) account for 258.1 million (or 44%) of prescriptions and $3.3 billion (or 40%) of retail sales. Chew on that for a moment…258.1 million prescriptions related to hyperinsulinemia, which is 25.1 (edit: 21.5 – operator error) million prescriptions and $270 million in retail sales per month.
Think anyone’s interested in keeping that kind of cash flowing? Do I have to ask?
Furthermore, these dollars are only a small part of the direct costs. No estimates for other direct or indirect costs are included.
Pretty disgusting, actually.
I mentioned last week that cognitive dissonance was to blame. I’m not so sure anymore. In my opinion, what we’re seeing here is nothing short of disgusting. There is plenty of research showing most of these problems can be fixed with simple changes in diet and exercise. Yet those recommendations aren’t coming. The ADA, for example, thinks type 2 diabetics need to eat 45-60 grams of carbs at each meal! It’s like telling someone with lung cancer that it’s okay to smoke one cigarette a day. Statinators are blind or on the dole. American Heart still spouts the low-fat dogma that has blinded all of them.
The more I think about it and the more I write about it, the more disgusted I get. What I need is a good laugh.
This post is part of the Kathleen Show, Prevention not Rx.
References (both are pdf documents)
1. 2008 Top 200 generic drugs by total prescriptions
2. 2008 Top 200 generic drugs by retail dollars
Related posts:
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Brian Sekula and Brian Sekula, Brian Sekula. Brian Sekula said: 25 million prescriptions and $270 million per month! That's a lot of moolah! #diabetes #hypertension #bigpharma http://ow.ly/ARy0 [...]
Posted by Tweets that mention Dr. Sekula on weight loss, fitness and nutrition » Blog Archive » Top 10 Generic Drugs in 2008 -- Topsy.com on November 10th, 2009.
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by bsekula: 25 million prescriptions and $270 million per month! That’s a lot of moolah! #diabetes #hypertension #bigpharma http://ow.ly/ARy0...
Posted by uberVU - social comments on November 11th, 2009.
With current advances in stem cell research, it won’t be long before we can find a permanent cure for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. ,
Posted by Aidan Bailey on April 28th, 2010.
That may be true. But there’s already a non stem cell cure for diabetes, both types. It’s called a low- (or controlled or whatever you want to call it) diet.
Posted by bsekula on April 29th, 2010.
[...] Top 10 generic drugs in 2008 [...]
Posted by Prevention Not Prescriptions: Tuesday, November 24 « The Kathleen Show on May 3rd, 2010.
Lung Cancer scared the hell out of me that is why i do not smoke cigarettes anymore.*.:
Posted by Layla Collins on May 17th, 2010.
I am just concerned about the main source of Omega 3 which is the liver of fish. as you can see, fishes can accumulate mercury and pcb
Posted by Esme Fisher on May 18th, 2010.
Hypertension is very common among old men and women these days.
Posted by Benjamin Hall on June 30th, 2010.
hypertension is a common disease among the older age men and women.:’.
Posted by Ashton Cox on July 22nd, 2010.
lung cancer can be avoided if you stay out of air pollutants like some chemicals and tobacco smoke.
Posted by Jordan Edwards on July 25th, 2010.
Omega 3 oil can really help your heart and arteries so take a sip of it regularly
Posted by Noah James on July 26th, 2010.