Key Takeaways
- In 2022, there were 1.4 million adverse drug event (ADE) reports to FDA's FAERS.
- Opioid-related ADEs accounted for 12% of all serious reports in FAERS 2022.
- Anticoagulants caused 20% of emergency department visits for ADEs in adults over 65.
- In 2021, average U.S. per capita spending on prescription drugs was $1,367.
- Prescription drug spending accounted for 9% of total U.S. health expenditures in 2021 at $405 billion.
- Medicare Part D drug spending grew 6% to $118 billion in 2021.
- In 2021, prescription opioid misuse led to 16,416 overdose deaths.
- From 1999-2020, over 562,000 deaths from prescription opioid overdoses.
- 10.3 million people misused prescription opioids in 2021.
- FDA approved 50 new drugs in 2022 under various pathways.
- Prescription Drug User Fee Act reauthorized through 2027 with $4.7B in fees.
- 95% of new molecular entities approved within 10 years post-1984 Orphan Drug Act.
- In 2022, approximately 60% of U.S. adults reported using at least one prescription medication in the past month.
- From 2015-2018, 48.0% of U.S. children and adolescents aged 0-19 years used at least one prescription medication in the past 30 days.
- In 2021, opioid prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. totaled 142.4 prescriptions per 100 people.
In 2022, prescription drugs drove major harms and costs, underscoring the need for safer use and pricing.
Adverse Effects
Adverse Effects Interpretation
Cost Statistics
Cost Statistics Interpretation
Misuse and Overdose
Misuse and Overdose Interpretation
Policy and Regulation
Policy and Regulation Interpretation
Usage Statistics
Usage Statistics Interpretation
How We Rate Confidence
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
Emilia Santos. (2026, February 13). Prescription Drug Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/prescription-drug-statistics
Emilia Santos. "Prescription Drug Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/prescription-drug-statistics.
Emilia Santos. 2026. "Prescription Drug Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/prescription-drug-statistics.
Sources & References
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