U.S. Adults Spent More Than $9B on Lipitor in 2004, AHRQ Survey Finds
U.S. adults in 2004 purchased more than $9 billion -- the most spent on any prescription drug -- of the anti-cholesterol medication Lipitor, followed by $4.7 billion on the anti-cholesterol treatment Zocor, according to a survey released on Wednesday by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Reuters/Los Angeles Times reports. In addition, the survey found that adults in 2004 used $4.2 billion of the ulcer medication Nexium and $2.4 billion on the ulcer treatment Prevacid. The survey also found that adults ages 18 to 64 in 2004 generated sales of $1.9 billion for the antidepressant Zoloft.
For children ages 17 and younger, the survey found that adults in 2004 purchased $680 million of the asthma medication Singulair, followed by $490 million for the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder treatment Concerta. Adults in 2004 also used $420 million of the allergy medication Zyrtec and more than $400 million each of the ADHD treatments Strattera and Adderall for children ages 17 and younger, the survey found.
According to the survey, adults ages 65 and older in 2004 generated the greatest sales for Lipitor and Zocor. The survey also found that adults ages 65 and older in 2004 purchased $1.7 billion of the blood thinner Plavix and $1.5 billion of the calcium channel blocker Norvasc (Reuters/Los Angeles Times, 9/13).
