New Report: What kinds of drugs do the elderly need?

The Top Five Therapeutic Classes of Outpatient Prescription Drugs, by Total Expenses for the Elderly and Near Elderly in the U.S. Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population, 2002

          Statistical Brief #91
           Household Component
          July 2005

Using data from the Household Component of the 2002 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS-HC), this Statistical Brief provides a summary of the top five therapeutic classes of outpatient prescription drugs for the elderly (age 65 and older) and the near elderly (age 55–64), when ranked by total expenses, as reported by households in the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population in calendar year 2002, as well as estimates for these population groups on the percentage of total prescribed drug expenses the top five therapeutic classes represent, the percentage having an expense in these classes of drugs, and the mean expenses in these classes of drugs for those with an expense.

Author(s):           Marie N. Stagnitti, MPA
Agency:           Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Get the full report from the Medical Panel Expenditure Survey website.