title: Cost and acquisition of prescribed and nonprescribed medicines, United States - july 1964-june 1965.
abstract: During July 1964-June 1965 the civilian, non-institutional population of the United States spent an annual average of $21.00 per person for medicines. Of this total, an estimated $15.40 was spent for medications prescribed by a doctor and the remaining $5.60 for nonprescribed medicines. Prescribed medicines were defined in the survey as any medications obtained on a doctor's written prescription, including refills; any medicines prepared on the basis of a doctor's telephone call to a pharmacist; and any medicines given by the doctor or his assistant to the person to take home. Medicines or injections administered to the person in a medical facility were not considered prescribed medicines. Medications obtained without a prescription, including such items as tonics, pills, salves, ointments, vitamins, first-aid supplies,and other medicines and drug sundries were included as nonprescribed medicines. The cost per person for prescribed medicines increased steadily with age from $6.40 per year for persons under 15 years to $41.40 for persons aged 65 and over. The average annual expenditure for nonprescribed medicines rose from $4.00 per person under 15 years to $8.80 for persons aged 65 and older.
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Wilder