title: Medical devices in dermatology: topical semi-solid formulations for the treatment of skin diseases.
abstract: In recent years, topically applied semi-solid formulations certified as medicals devices and not as topical drugs are increasingly used for the treatment of skin diseases. Medical devices primarily unfold their therapeutic effect by physical means, not by pharmacological, immunological or metabolic means. Intensified placing of medical devices on the dermatological market may at least partly be explained by a less complex marketing authorization process compared to topical drugs. If the requirements are fulfilled to certify a product as a medical device the opportunity will be offered to quickly introduce innovations onto the market and propagate them. A variety of evidence-based medical devices for several dermatological indications are presented here.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany. h.c.korting@lrz.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: Hans Christian
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Korting
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schöllmann
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods; D004643:Emollients / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D004643:Emollients