[Prescription of topical immunomodulators].
BACKGROUND
As from 2005, the Danish Medicines Agency has recommended prescription of topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCI) to patients aged two years and older after attempting treatment with topical corticosteroids.


METHODS
Via the Danish Register of Medical Product Statistics every TCI-user was identified (encrypted ID) from July 2002-2007: 18,780 tacrolimus- and 40,895 pimecrolimus users. Changes over time in first-line users are studied by 2 test and in age distributions by Mann-Whitney U-test.


RESULTS
1-year prevalence and incidence have decreased since 2005. In the period 2003-2007, 21% of all tacrolimus incident users and 36% of all pimecrolimus incident users were first-line users. In the period 2003-2007, 590 tacrolimus users and 4,913 pimecrolimus users were below the age of two years. These pimecrolimus users decreased in number from 1,440 in 2003 to 480 in 2007. In four out of five first-line pimecrolimus users below the age of two years, the first prescription was issued by a general practitioner.


CONCLUSIONS
The decrease in the sale of TIM since 2005 coincided with the changed recommendations. On the basis of the available data, it is not possible to determine whether the percentage of first-line users are reasoned by the skin area is not suitable for corticosteroids. In 2007, the recommendation was not followed for a minor number of TIM users below the age of two years.
Rosenzweig
Mary
M
Laegemiddelkontrol, Laegemiddelstyrelsen, Axel Heides Gade 1, DK-2300 København. MRO@dkma.dk
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003718:Denmark; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007223:Infant; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012042:Registries; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; C117268:pimecrolimus; D016559:Tacrolimus