Assessing the Appropriate Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors in a Veteran Outpatient Population

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most prescribed medications in the U.S. This is in part due to PPIs being the most potent agents for acid suppression in diseases such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In 2001, antiulcer drugs, including PPIs, accounted for $10.8 billion in retail sales.(1,2) Since PPIs have been made available in generic formulations, the total spending cost has decreased in recent years. However, PPIs remain the top-selling generic drugs in retail pharmacies.