What boomers need to know about prescription drugs: What you take and what you spend

How many and what kind of prescriptions are baby boomers taking?

Nearly one-third of baby boomers said they took four or more prescription drugs for chronic conditions, according to a 2003 prescription drug survey by Knowledge Systems & Research Inc.

Commonly mentioned medical conditions included:

• Hypertension (31 percent).
• Arthritis (23 percent).
• Mental health problems (23 percent).
• Respiratory problems (17 percent).
• Diabetes (12 percent).
• Osteoporosis (7 percent).
• Acid reflux (6 percent).
• Allergies/sinuses (5 percent).
• Cholesterol (5 percent).
• Thyroid conditions (5 percent).
• Menopause (4 percent).

Seven percent of baby boomers purchased prescription drugs from outside of the United States, the survey reported. However, a majority bought less than one-quarter of their drugs there.

Lower income boomers were being prescribed more drugs for hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, respiratory problems, osteoporosis, arthritis, and mental health problems, the survey reported.

Male boomers took more drugs for heart disease, diabetes, and cholesterol, according to the survey. Female boomers received more drugs for respiratory problems, osteoporosis, mental health problems, acid reflux, fibromyalgia, thyroid conditions, and headaches.

Another study found boomers used more psychoactive prescription drugs and have three to four times more emotional disorders. The study was conducted for the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Psychoactive drugs act mainly on the central nervous system where they alter brain function.

A third study reported Americans in their early to mid-50s today are in poorer health, are in more pain, and have more trouble doing everyday physical tasks than their older peers reported at the same age in years past. The research was supported by the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health.

What kind of prescription drug coverage do boomers have?

In a 2006 survey conducted for AARP, 89 percent of 50 to 64 year olds said they were covered by health insurance, with 42 percent of those covered by employers or unions.

Other findings:

• 83 percent had prescription drug coverage, 44 percent of which was provided by employers or unions.

• 65 percent said paying for medications hadn’t been a problem in the past 12 months, but it had been a major problem for 14 percent and a minor problem for 19 percent.

How much do boomers spent on prescriptions?

Spending for prescription drugs is skyrocketing for all age groups.

Spending in the U.S. for prescription drugs was $200.7 billion in 2005 — almost five times the $40.3 billion spent in 1990, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation report.

Retail prescription prices increased an average of 7.5 percent per year from 1994 to 2006, rising from $26.87 to $68.26. The average brand-name prescription price was more than three times the average generic drug price in 2006 –- $111.02 compared to $32.23.

Tomorrow’s Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide will discuss What Boomers Need to Know About Prescription Drugs: How to Buy Prescription Drugs.