18,477 adults age 65 and older across 11 countries: Australia (501), Canada (4,332), France (1,751), Germany (1,163), Netherlands (630), New Zealand (500), Norway (500), Sweden (3,018), Switzerland (2,597), United Kingdom (1,876), United States (1,609).
Citation formats
Share of older adults taking four or more prescription drugs worldwide 2021
As of 2021, of the 11 countries surveyed, older adults in the U.S. were most likely to be taking multiple prescription drugs on a regular basis with over half taking four or more drugs regularly.
This statistic shows the percentage of adults aged 65 and older who were using four or more prescription drugs on a regular basis in selected countries.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ can support your business.
Commonwealth Fund. (October 4, 2021). Percentage of older people who were using four or more prescription drugs on a regular basis in select countries as of 2021 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 28, 2026, from /statistics/1289726/multiple-drug-prescriptions-among-older-adults-worldwide/
Commonwealth Fund. "Percentage of older people who were using four or more prescription drugs on a regular basis in select countries as of 2021." Chart. October 4, 2021. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 28, 2026. /statistics/1289726/multiple-drug-prescriptions-among-older-adults-worldwide/
Commonwealth Fund. (2021). Percentage of older people who were using four or more prescription drugs on a regular basis in select countries as of 2021. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 28, 2026. /statistics/1289726/multiple-drug-prescriptions-among-older-adults-worldwide/
Commonwealth Fund. "Percentage of Older People Who Were Using Four or More Prescription Drugs on a Regular Basis in Select Countries as of 2021." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 4 Oct 2021, /statistics/1289726/multiple-drug-prescriptions-among-older-adults-worldwide/
Commonwealth Fund, Percentage of older people who were using four or more prescription drugs on a regular basis in select countries as of 2021 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1289726/multiple-drug-prescriptions-among-older-adults-worldwide/ (last visited July 28, 2026)
Percentage of older people who were using four or more prescription drugs on a regular basis in select countries as of 2021 [Graph], Commonwealth Fund, October 4, 2021. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1289726/multiple-drug-prescriptions-among-older-adults-worldwide/
