Expenditures for the Top Five Therapeutic Classes of Outpatient Prescription Drugs, Medicare Beneficiaries, Age 65 and Older, 2007. Statistical Brief No. 280

摘要

This Statistical Brief provides descriptive statistics on expenditures for the top five therapeutic classes of outpatient prescription drugs in 2007 (ranked by total expenses) for Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older in the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. MEPS uses prescription drugs therapeutic classes as defined by the Multum Lexicon (see Definitions). In 2007, 17 broad therapeutic classifications were identified. The estimates presented are derived from the Household and Pharmacy Components of the 2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Expenditures include payments for Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older, from all sources (e.g., out of pocket, private and public insurance sources) for outpatient prescription drug purchases during 2007. Insulin and diabetic supplies and equipment are also included in MEPS prescribed medicines estimates. Over-the-counter medicines are excluded from these estimates as are prescription medicines administered in an inpatient setting or in a clinic or physician's office. All differences discussed in the text are statistically significant at the 0.05 level or better.