The 10 Biggest Pharmaceutical Spending Countries in the World, 2015

The United States was by far the biggest spender on pharmaceuticals at more than $1,026 per person, among OECD countries when measured by population, according to the latest study from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), followed by Japan and Greece.

Interestingly, pharmaceutical spending in the U.S. worked out to $1,026 a person in 2013, well above the OECD average of $515. The United States – bill was the highest, and double the OECD average.

They conclude, in fact, that the total pharmaceutical spend by OECD countries in 2013 was $800 billion.

These 10 countries spend the most on pharmaceuticals:

1. United States
Pharmaceutical expenditure per capita: $1026 a person
Pharmaceutical expenditure as a share of GDP: 1.9%

2. Japan
Pharmaceutical expenditure per capita: $752 a person
Pharmaceutical expenditure as a share of GDP: 2.1%

3. Greece
Pharmaceutical expenditure per capita: $721 a person
Pharmaceutical expenditure as a share of GDP: 2.8%

3. Canada
Pharmaceutical expenditure per capita: $713 a person
Pharmaceutical expenditure as a share of GDP: 1.7%

4. Germany
Pharmaceutical expenditure per capita: $678 a person
Pharmaceutical expenditure as a share of GDP: 1.5%

5. Switzerland
Pharmaceutical expenditure per capita: $666 a person
Pharmaceutical expenditure as a share of GDP: 1.2%

6. Ireland
Pharmaceutical expenditure per capita: $652 a person
Pharmaceutical expenditure as a share of GDP: 1.4%

7. Belgium
Pharmaceutical expenditure per capita: $603 a person
Pharmaceutical expenditure as a share of GDP: 1.4%

8. France
Pharmaceutical expenditure per capita: $596 a person
Pharmaceutical expenditure as a share of GDP: 1.6%

9. Australia
Pharmaceutical expenditure per capita: $590 a person
Pharmaceutical expenditure as a share of GDP: 1.3%

10. Italy
Pharmaceutical expenditure per capita: $572 a person
Pharmaceutical expenditure as a share of GDP: 1.6%

The data only cover retail spending, or medicines that are prescribed to patients or dispensed directly over the counter.