A retrospective analysis of the prescribing patterns of isotretinoin
type: CreativeWork
description: Acne is a very common disease affecting approximately 85% of people in some stage of their life (Wolff et al., 2005:2). The systemic drug isotretinoin is the only acne drug which has an influence on all the pathophysiological factors of this highly prevalent disease and is considered as the most effective treatment for acne, although it should be limited to the treatment of severe acne. Isotretinoin prescribing is under the largest risk-minimisation programme (called iPLEDGE) ever implemented for a drug in the United States of America, due to concerns with pregnancies during isotretinoin treatment (Honein et al., 2007:11). In comparison South Africa has no equal managing programme to regulate isotretinoin prescribing and the need to identify certain prescribing patterns is deemed necessary. The general objective of this study was to analyse the prescribing patterns of isotretinoin, including aspects of cost, in a section of the private healthcare sector of South Africa. A quantitative, retrospective drug utilisation review was performed to evaluate the prescribing patterns and cost of isotretinoin containing products claimed through a pharmacy benefit management organisation, over the study period of 2005 and 2006. Data were analysed by using the Statistical Analysis System, 9.1 (SAS). The information of prescriber, age, gender, and cost of isotretinoin usage were considered and evaluated. A total number of 6 427 and 6 927 patients claimed 18 589 and 20 232 isotretinoin prescriptions respectively during 2005 and 2006. Isotretinoin total costs contributed to 34.4% (n = R6 810 090) and 36.3% (n = R6 533 241) of the total identified acne medicine costs for 2005 and 2006 respectively. Isotretinoin represented the highest percentage of total costs in relation to any other acne product identified in both study years. Average costs of R314.82 ± 205.92 per prescribed isotretinoin item in 2005 and R277.63 ± 192.63 in 2006 were recorded in comparison to the total database med…
abstract: Acne is a very common disease affecting approximately 85% of people in some stage of their life (Wolff et al., 2005:2). The systemic drug isotretinoin is the only acne drug which has an influence on all the pathophysiological factors of this highly prevalent disease and is considered as the most effective treatment for acne, although it should be limited to the treatment of severe acne. Isotretinoin prescribing is under the largest risk-minimisation programme (called iPLEDGE) ever implemented for a drug in the United States of America, due to concerns with pregnancies during isotretinoin treatment (Honein et al., 2007:11). In comparison South Africa has no equal managing programme to regulate isotretinoin prescribing and the need to identify certain prescribing patterns is deemed necessary. The general objective of this study was to analyse the prescribing patterns of isotretinoin, including aspects of cost, in a section of the private healthcare sector of South Africa. A quantitative, retrospective drug utilisation review was performed to evaluate the prescribing patterns and cost of isotretinoin containing products claimed through a pharmacy benefit management organisation, over the study period of 2005 and 2006. Data were analysed by using the Statistical Analysis System, 9.1 (SAS). The information of prescriber, age, gender, and cost of isotretinoin usage were considered and evaluated. A total number of 6 427 and 6 927 patients claimed 18 589 and 20 232 isotretinoin prescriptions respectively during 2005 and 2006. Isotretinoin total costs contributed to 34.4% (n = R6 810 090) and 36.3% (n = R6 533 241) of the total identified acne medicine costs for 2005 and 2006 respectively. Isotretinoin represented the highest percentage of total costs in relation to any other acne product identified in both study years. Average costs of R314.82 ± 205.92 per prescribed isotretinoin item in 2005 and R277.63 ± 192.63 in 2006 were recorded in comparison to the total database med…
author: Kruger, Ulrich Victor
keywords: Isotretinoin, Prevalence, Age, Gender, Prescriber, Medicinal treatment cost
date published: 2008
date modified: 2026-07-24T03:33:40Z
provider: North-West University (South Africa)
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: North-West University

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: http://hdl.handle.net/10394/3739