Big Pharma's Over-Reliant Pill Poppers

Using data from the USA, over 3 billion prescriptions are filled each year, averaging around 10 prescriptions for every person in the USA annually. With an average cost of $54.34 per prescription in 2007, the annual cost of these prescriptions is about US$165 billion, the equivalent of $550 for every American each year. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs), which increase exponentially in those taking 4 or more different medications, are now the fourth leading cause of death in the USA, putting them in front of pulmonary disease, diabetes, AIDS, pneumonia, accidents, and motor vehicle deaths.