Widening access to isotretinoin in primary care: an evaluation of New Zealand national dispensing data for isotretinoin for acne, 2008-2023.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To identify what changes in the prescribing of isotretinoin have occurred since funded prescriber access was widened in 2009 from 'dermatologist only' prescribing to include 'general practitioners (GPs) and nurse practitioners working within their scope of practice'.

Design

Evaluation of isotretinoin dispensing data from 2008 to 2023 using the national annual prescribing data obtained from the New Zealand Pharmaceutical National Collection database.

Setting

All New Zealand citizens prescribed and dispensed funded isotretinoin for acne from 2008 to 2023 were included.

Main outcome measures

The prescribing data were analysed to identify the total number of prescriptions per year by prescribing clinician type, patient ethnicity and deprivation levels.

SUBMITTER: Moodie P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11781095 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature