prescription drug

noun

: a drug that can be obtained only by means of a physician's prescription

Examples of prescription drug in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sellers have even sold to minors, sometimes through social media apps, after marketing pills cut with fentanyl as legitimate prescription drugs. Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Dec. 2024 The three biggest PBMs are UnitedHealth Group’s Optum Rx, CVS Health’s Caremark and Cigna’s Express Scripts. PBMs wield enormous power on the accessibility and affordability of prescription drugs, and those three companies represent about 80 percent of all U.S. prescriptions. Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024 Ray invades the scene with a shout-out to NY’s Dyckman neighborhood and admits he’s kicked a prescription drugs habit as he’s put the bottle down. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 17 Dec. 2024 PBMs are intermediaries that negotiate prescription drug prices on behalf of employers, health plans and others, and reimburse pharmacies. Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prescription drug 

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prescription drug was in 1872

Dictionary Entries Near prescription drug

Cite this Entry

“Prescription drug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prescription%20drug. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

prescription drug

noun
: a drug that can be obtained only by means of a physician's prescription

More from Merriam-Webster on prescription drug

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!