Why Are Prescriptions Up 70 Percent in the UK?

Posted By Dr. Mercola | July 29 2011 | 119 views

In Britain, more prescription drugs than ever are being given out; the number being dispensed has increased almost 70 percent over the past ten years.

According to figures from the NHS Information Centre, the highest number of drugs dispensed last year was for heart conditions, followed by painkillers and anti-cholesterol drugs such as statins. Diabetes drugs, however, may be accounting for the greatest part of the expense. In four years, the UK has seen type 2 diabetes, which is caused by obesity and lack of exercise, increase 75 percent.

The Daily Mail reports:

"More than 7 million in Britain currently rely on statins, a 350 per cent increase on the 2 million users a mere four years ago. It means one in three over-45s take the cholesterol-lowering drugs. Antidepressants are also on the rise, despite efforts to prescribe talking therapies rather than drugs."