Researchers in Spain studied 8 years of medicine records to understand who takes what medications and why. They found that stomach acid drugs are the most commonly prescribed, and that a person’s age, gender, income level, and where they live all affect which medicines they get. Women received more thyroid and depression medications, while men received more heart medications. People with lower incomes tended to get pain relievers and anxiety medications more often. These patterns show that health care access isn’t equal for everyone and suggest doctors should think about these differences when prescribing medicines.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Which medicines doctors prescribed most often in one Spanish region, and whether a person’s age, gender, income, and neighborhood affected what medicines they received
  • Who participated: Over 1.4 million patient records from La Rioja, Spain, between 2016 and 2023, including people aged 14 and older
  • Key finding: Stomach acid medications (PPIs) were prescribed most often, and a person’s gender, age, income level, and where they lived all significantly affected which medicines they received
  • What it means for you: Your medicine choices may be influenced by factors beyond just your health condition. If you notice differences in your prescriptions compared to others, it might be worth discussing with your doctor to ensure you’re getting the right treatment for your needs

The Research Details

Researchers looked back at 8 years of medicine prescription records (2016-2023) from a region in Spain called La Rioja. They examined over 4 million individual medicine prescriptions to understand patterns. They organized the data by looking at 26 common medicine groups and tracked information about each patient’s age, gender, income level, and neighborhood. They used statistical tests to see if differences between groups were real or just by chance. This type of study is called ‘cross-sectional’ because it takes a snapshot of what’s happening at different points in time rather than following people over years.

This approach is important because it shows real-world patterns in how medicines are actually prescribed to different groups of people. By looking at actual prescription records rather than asking people questions, the researchers got accurate information about what’s really happening in medical practice. Understanding these patterns helps doctors and health officials see if some groups of people might not be getting equal access to medicines.

This study used actual prescription records from a health system, which is very reliable data. The large sample size (over 1.4 million patient records) makes the findings more trustworthy. However, because this is a snapshot study rather than following people over time, it can show what happened but not always explain why. The study was limited to one region in Spain, so results might be different in other places.

What the Results Show

Stomach acid medications (called PPIs) were by far the most commonly prescribed drugs, with over 82,000 prescriptions during the 8-year period. Pain-relieving anti-inflammatory drugs came in second place. When researchers looked at gender differences, women received more prescriptions overall (53.7% of all prescriptions), especially for thyroid hormones, vitamin D supplements, and depression medications. Men received more prescriptions for heart and blood pressure medications. Depression medication prescriptions increased significantly over time, rising from about 5,281 prescriptions in 2016 to 7,486 in 2023—an increase of about 42%. Older people received more heart medications, which makes sense because heart disease becomes more common with age.

The study found important differences based on where people lived within the region. Some neighborhoods had much higher rates of anxiety and depression medication prescriptions than others. Income level also mattered significantly: people receiving pensions with very low incomes mostly got stomach acid medications, pain relievers, and anxiety medications, while low-income workers received more pain-relieving anti-inflammatory drugs. These patterns suggest that both geography and economic status influence which medicines people receive.

These findings match what researchers have found in other parts of Spain and Europe. Stomach acid medications and pain-relieving anti-inflammatories are known to be the most commonly prescribed drugs across Europe. The increase in depression medication prescriptions aligns with trends seen in other developed countries, suggesting this may reflect either more people experiencing depression or more willingness to treat it with medication.

This study only looked at one region in Spain, so the patterns might be different in other areas. The study couldn’t explain why these differences exist—only that they do. It also couldn’t track whether patients actually took their medicines as prescribed. The researchers couldn’t see information about why doctors prescribed certain medicines, so they couldn’t determine if differences were appropriate medical decisions or signs of unequal care. Finally, the study looked at prescriptions filled through the public health system, so private prescriptions weren’t included.

The Bottom Line

If you’re taking medications, it’s worth having a conversation with your doctor about whether your current prescriptions are the best choice for your specific situation. If you notice that your prescriptions seem very different from others you know, ask your doctor to explain why. Healthcare systems should work to ensure that medicine prescriptions are based on medical need rather than income level or neighborhood (Moderate confidence level—this is based on observational data showing patterns, not proof of causation).

This research matters most to doctors, public health officials, and policymakers who make decisions about healthcare. It’s also relevant to anyone taking regular medications, especially those in lower-income groups who might want to discuss their treatment options with their doctor. People interested in health equity and fair access to healthcare should pay attention to these findings.

The patterns shown in this study developed over 8 years, suggesting that changes in prescription patterns happen gradually. If healthcare systems make changes based on these findings, it would likely take months to years to see improvements in medication access and equity.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your current medications and their purposes weekly. Note the medication name, dose, how often you take it, and what condition it treats. This helps you understand your own medication patterns and makes it easier to discuss your prescriptions with your doctor.
  • Use the app to set reminders for taking medications as prescribed and to schedule regular check-ins with your doctor to review whether your current medications are still the best choice for you. Create a medication list to share with any new doctors you see.
  • Every 3-6 months, review your medication list with your doctor. Track any side effects or concerns in the app. If you notice changes in your prescriptions, ask your doctor to document the reason. This ongoing conversation helps ensure your medications remain appropriate for your needs.

This study describes patterns in how medicines were prescribed in one region of Spain and does not prove that these patterns are good or bad, or that they caused any specific health outcomes. The findings should not be used to make decisions about your own medications. Always consult with your healthcare provider about your prescriptions, as they know your individual health situation. This research is informational and helps public health officials understand trends, but individual medical decisions should always be made with a qualified doctor who knows your complete medical history.