Prescription patterns and costs of acne/rosacea medications in Medicare patients vary by prescriber specialty.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Prescription patterns for acne/rosacea medications have not been described in the Medicare population, and comparisons across specialties are lacking.

Objective

To describe the medications used for treating acne/rosacea in the Medicare population and evaluate differences in costs between specialties.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed of the 2008 and 2010 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Prescription Drug Profiles, which contains 100% of Medicare part D claims.

Results

Topical antibiotics accounted for 63% of all prescriptions. Patients ≥65 years utilized more oral tetracycline-class antibiotics and less topical retinoids. Specialists prescribed brand name drugs for the most common topical retinoids and most common topical antibi

SUBMITTER: Zhang M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5557700 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature