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3.3 billion outpatient prescriptions (11 per person in the United States) filled
in 2006. This includes 1.67 billion new prescriptions. Drug Topics
2007; 151 (2):22-25.
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Over 2.2 million serious adverse drug reactions yearly. Journal of
American Medical Association 1998; 279:1200-1205.
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106,000 deaths annually due to adverse drug reactions in the United States. Adverse
drug reactions are 4th cause of death; ahead of pulmonary disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS,
pneumonia/influenza, accidents and automobile deaths. Journal of American
Medical Association 1998; 279:1200-1205.
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The annual cost of drug-related morbidity and mortality was a stunning 177 billion
dollars in 2000; 47% attributed to preventable costs. This represented over 10%
of total U.S. health care spending and it has nearly doubled the 1995 estimate.
Journal of American Pharmacists Association 2001; 41:192-199.
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More than 254,000 emergency department visits for patients 65 years of age or older
were due to adverse drug event in 2005. Annals of Internal Medicine
2007; 147(11):755-765.
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It is estimated that over 350,000 adverse drug reactions occur in U.S. nursing homes
each year. American Journal of Medicine 2000, 109 (2); 87-94.
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28% of all emergency room visits are drug-related, including due to adverse drug
reactions and inappropriate prescriptions. Pharmacotherapy 2002; 22:915-923.
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Among the elderly, at least 16% of hospital admissions are due to medication-related
problems. Approximately 70% of all these visits are preventable. Annals
Pharmacotherapy 2002; 36:1238-48.
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Adverse drug reactions are increased exponentially with 4 or more medications. Ag. Actions 1990; 29: 117-125.
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Assisted living residents receiving ten or more medications have almost twice as
many medication-related problems than residents with orders for nine or less medications.
Consult Pharmacist 2000; 15:1110-6.
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For every dollar spent on drugs in nursing facilities, $1.33 in health care resources
are consumed in the treatment of drug-related problems. Arch Intern
Med. 1997; 157: 2089-2096.
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It is estimated that medication-related problems cost about $1 for each dollar spent
on the cost of medications. Journal of American Pharmacists Association
2001; 41:192-199.
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It is estimated that consultant pharmacist help to reduce health care resources
attributed to medication-related problems in nursing facilities by 3.6 billion per
year. These cost savings amounts to approximately $2,250 per resident per year,
mostly from avoided emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Arch
Intern Med. 1997; 157: 2089-2096.
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The risk for emergency department visits for adverse events due to Coumadin®
(Warfarin), Insulin or Lanoxin® (digoxin) is 35 times greater than that for
medications considered to be always potentially inappropriate. Annals
of Internal Medicine 2007; 147 (11):755-765.
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