The use of prescription drugs in the U.S. exacts a costly drug-related morbidity* and mortality rate. These adverse events translate into a staggering expenditure of over $76 billion dollars each year.

The cost of prescription drug morbidity and mortality:

• Hospital Admissions $47,445,477,000
• Long-Term Care Admissions $14,398,644,000
• Physician Visits $7,459,744,000
• Emergency Room Visits $5,320,723,000
• Additional Prescriptions $1,933,121,000

With a price tag of $76 billion annually on prescription drug-related morbidity or mortality, it’s not surprising that the U.S. leads the world in “healthcare” costs.

* Morbidity means having or causing a disease. In this use, it means
when drugs causea disease or condition.

SOURCE: “217 Drugs and Vaccines in Testing for Children,” Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, May 12, 2000; www.wcanews.com