In Australia as in the USA, more money is spent on analgesics than on any other of the other most prescribed drugs including cardiovascular drugs and antibiotics. In the United States approximately $1 billion is spent annually on over-the-counter pain killing medications. Another $10 billion is spent each year in prescribed medication and operations to relieve chronic pain.Many American patients have been found to take five or more pain-relieving medications.
Half of these see more than one doctor for prescriptions and take over-the-counter drugs at the same time as their prescription drugs. At least 100,000 Americans are hospitalised for the treatment of addiction and other drug-related complications. Many other patients probably have the same problems but are un-reported. Many others die of the complications of taking pain medication.
The University of Washington Pain Clinic found that many of the patients treated there had already spent over $40,000 on their health care. Such an astronomical cost causes a tremendous drain on the national treasury. To put the figures on aspirin into perspective, just consider that Americans swallow some 20,000 tons of aspirin a year, or 225 tablets for every man, woman and child!
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