Retail prescription drug sales are expected to exceed $121.6 billion in 1999, an 18% rise over last year's total, according to projections released by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS).

Over-the-counter medications are expected to achieve sales of $32 billion this year in community pharmacies, up 8.3% from last year, according to the report. According to the report, the major factors contributing to increased prescription drug volume are increasing drug consumption (particularly among the elderly), introduction of new medicines that enable treatment of serious conditions outside of the hospital, and the growth of managed care and its emphasis on drug utilization.

COMMENT: This is quite amazing when you think about it. Well over 100 billion dollars spent on drugs. That is one of the major reasons why it is so difficult to implement natural therapies, as there are some powerfully vested interests with that type of money being spent. This makes it incredibly difficult to shift, but it is possible. And the clear trend is in the direction of natural therapies.