* Almost 80% of doctor office visits...

* Almost 80% of doctor office visits result in a prescription; about 20% result in a recommendation for an over-the-counter drug.

* The pharmaceutical industry estimates that every time a person self-medicates with an over-the-counter drug, he or she saves $26.44. The savings are related to paying less for the over-the-counter than the prescribed drug, avoiding a doctor’s visit and not losing time from work for these visits.

* In 1996, Americans saved $10.1 billion by purchasing more over-the-counter medications than in 1987.

* The three ailments with the greatest savings in over-the-counter drugs are headaches, heartburn or indigestion, and the common cold.

* Annual over-the-counter savings are $4.2 million for headaches, $3.6 million for heartburn and $3 million for colds.

* Almost all medication for the following ailments is now over-the-counter: sinusitis, vaginal yeast infection, allergy and the common cold.

* People are more likely to treat an acute condition, such as headache, heartburn and athlete’s foot, with an over-the-counter medication than to seek medical attention.

* People are more likely to seek medical attention than to self-treat for chronic conditions such as allergies, arthritis, sinusitis, vaginal yeast infections and skin rashes.

Source: Kline & Co. Inc. for a report on the “Economic Benefits of Self-Medication” to the Nonprescription Drugs Manufacturers Assn.