What are the most popular medications in Spain?

How much do Spaniards spend at the pharmacy on prescriptions?

In Spain, the prescription continues to be the most common gateway to the treatments we use on a daily basis and 2024 has been no exception. He Annual Report of the National Health System from the Ministry of Health confirms that pharmaceutical spending continues to grow, but also suggests how our health needs are changing and which groups of drugs are most present in the population’s medicine cabinets.

Among all therapeutic groups, pain relievers They are once again in the lead: they represent 12.3% of the total containers consumed with prescriptions. From chronic discomfort to specific pain, its widespread use explains its prominent position.

But if we talk about spending, the situation changes. Medications intended for diabetes treatment They are the ones that have the greatest economic impact: they account for 15.9% of the total amount, reflecting an increasingly widespread disease and treatments that, although effective, usually have a higher cost.

The generic drugs They maintain a relevant role within the system: they account for 47.4% of total consumption in packaging and 24.5% of the amount.

The report also includes activity in health productswhich invoiced 27.1 million containers and 753.6 million euros in pharmacies. Although they represent a minor part of the set, their presence is essential for daily care: from test strips to dressing material or support products.

At the end of 2024, the pharmaceutical provision of the National Health System included 22,557 drug presentationsa figure that reflects the breadth and diversity of the funded therapeutic arsenal.