Tennessee Still One of the Most Medicated States

A statewide effort to curbover-prescribing in Tennessee has had a small effect.

A report three years ago listed Tennessee as the most medicated

state.

The Tennessean reports a recent ranking by Forbes found

Tennessee now has the second-highest number of prescriptions per

resident per year.

That is despite a statewide effort that includes a controlled

substance database meant to curb prescription drug abuse and

education programs for physicians about proper prescribing

practices.

Tennesseans now take an average of 16.9 prescriptions a year.

That's compared with a previous high of about 18. The national

average is 11.6 prescriptions a person.

Doctors say the poor health of Tennesseans is one of the reasons

they take so many medications. For example, the state is the second

fattest in the country.