Healthy Skepticism Library item: 8183

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Gebhart F.
Annual Rx survey: new golden age
Drug Topics 1998 Mar 16; 142:71-72, 74, 76, 83

Abstract:

The results of a survey of prescription drugs dispensed in 1997 in 36,000 retail pharmacies, including chain stores, independents, grocery stores, mass merchandisers, and deep discounters, across 1300 regions in the United States are presented. Survey results showed that the number of prescriptions dispensed, prescription retail sales, and average value per prescription increased in 1997 compared to 1996. A correlation between direct-to-consumer advertising and physician prescribing of brand name pharmaceutical products was observed. In terms of numbers of prescriptions, the top drugs in 1997 were similar to those in 1996. Antilipemic agents comprised the fastest growing therapeutic class of drugs prescribed in 1997, which was the result of intensive marketing efforts by the pharmaceutical industry. The prescription volume of estrogens in combination with progestins remained high, while that of anti-obesity drugs was very low. In 1997, the top firm, based on total prescriptions, was American Home Products, while the top company, based on total pharmacy acquisition dollars, was Merck & Co.