Prescription Behaviour and Barriers to Prescription of Biologicals for Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Skin Diseases in Dermatological Practice in Two German Federal States

Abstract

The globally increasing prevalence of chronic inflammatory skin diseases has substantial costs. Biologicals have become available as therapeutic options, but are encumbered with barriers to prescription. The aim of this study was to evaluate the barriers to prescription of biologicals in the treatment of chronic dermatological diseases. Dermatologists working in private practices in the German federal states of Bavaria and Lower Saxony participated in a cross-sectional study. Economic and legal aspects, including “high therapy costs”, “low reimbursements”, and “fear of regress claims”, were identified as the most prevalent barriers. Significant differences between dermatologists from Bavaria and Lower Saxony were found only regarding the treatment of atopic dermatitis. This study demonstrates the prevalence of barriers to the prescription of biologicals in the treatment of chronic dermatological diseases. Overcoming these barriers could improve the usage of modern therapies and thereby expand patient-centred care for chronic skin diseases.

Keywords

• biological therapy
• dermatology
• healthcare costs
• prescriptions
• patient-centred care
• skin diseases