How Many Americans Use Prescription Drugs?

By Peter DePaolis
Attorney

You probably know at least one person who takes a prescription drug or over-the-counter drug on a regular basis. Like many people this winter, you might have taken an over-the-counter cold medicine to get rid of cold and flu symptoms. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), almost one-half of the U.S. population used a prescription drug in the last month. Approximately two-thirds of visits to the doctor result in prescription drug treatment, says the FDA.

Using prescription drugs increases with a person’s age. Statistics from the FDA point out that 85 percent of people over age 65 take an average of three different prescription medications every day. While drugs relieve symptoms and help prolong life, defective drugs have caused thousands of serious injuries and fatalities. Defective drugs such as Vioxx, Yaz, Yasmin, and Lotronex make headlines for their adverse effects and resulting class-action lawsuits.

Adverse effects from defective drugs present dangers to more than just the user. A defective drug linked to medical episodes can cause the user to fall unconscious while driving a vehicle. The result is a car accident that injures the user as well as additional drivers and pedestrians.

Do you know an elderly person who might be at risk of taking a defective drug? Contact our team today.

Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.

Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia Injury Attorneys

Approved by attorney Julie Heiden

About the Author
Peter DePaolis joined the firm in 1980 and has since represented a large number of individuals involved in automobile collisions, truck accidents, bus crashes, defective products, and medical malpractice cases. A significant portion of Mr. DePaolis’ practice is devoted to working on behalf of people suffering from asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related cancers. He has led his firm’s fight against the asbestos industry and has recovered over $30 million in damages for asbestos victims and their families.