Facts about Prescriptions

How many prescriptions?
Good data can be obtained from the NACDS Chain Pharmacy Industry Profile. Their numbers differ slightly from figures published by the NCPA (community pharmacists) in part because of different definitions. NACDS defines a chain pharmacy as one that operates four or more for-profit pharmacies open to the general public. These include traditional drug stores, supermarket pharmacies, and pharmacies in mass-merchandise stores. Some are urban, and some are rural. Some might consider themselves "community pharmacies." Table 30 in the 2006 profile outlines the number of prescriptions filled in 2005.

3,383

Source	scripts(mil)	$ (mil)
Chains	1,562	$94,453
Independents	743	$41,819
Total(chain + independents)	2,305	$136,272
Mass Merchants	365	$22,480
Supermarket	469	$27,576
Mailorder	244	$ 43,929
Total	$230,257

Other data show the top drugs Top 10 U.S. Retail Prescription Products Ranked by Total Prescription Count

Product	Rank	Generic or Brand	TRx Count* (Mil)	TRx Count % Change Prior Year
Hydrocodone w/APAP	1	Generic	92.7	8.17%
Lipitor	2	Brand	69.8	6.46%
Lisinopril	3	Generic	46.2	17.50%
Atenolol	4	Generic	44.2	2.88%
Synthroid	5	Brand	44.1	-6.73%
Amoxicillin	6	Generic	41.4	10.48%
Hydrochlorothiazide	7	Generic	41.3	14.83%
Zithromax	8	Brand	37.2	-5.99%
Furosemide	9	Generic	36.5	3.24%
Norvasc	10	Brand	34.7	4.18%

Based on Wolters Kluwer Health proprietary methodologies. Reflects prescription data for retail and mail order pharmacy channels.