Rx -to- OTC switch increased access and lowered cost of topical adapalene

Authors

William Fix, Department of Dermatology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
Sapana Desai, Department of Dermatology, George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2150 Pennsylvania Ave NW Fl. 2 South, Washington, DC, 20037, USA.
Dillon Nussbaum, Department of Dermatology, George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2150 Pennsylvania Ave NW Fl. 2 South, Washington, DC, 20037, USA.
Adam Friedman, Department of Dermatology, George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2150 Pennsylvania Ave NW Fl. 2 South, Washington, DC, 20037, USA. ajfriedman@mfa.gwu.edu.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

5-11-2024

Journal

Archives of dermatological research

Volume

316

Issue

5

DOI

10.1007/s00403-024-02890-9

Keywords

Adapalene gel; Medicare; Rx -to- OTC transition; Sales and prescriber data

Abstract

Topical adapalene gel is an effective and well tolerated acne treatment that transitioned from prescription to over-the-counter (OTC) availability in 2016. Historically, prescription to OTC transitions have lowered costs to patients and payers and increased access to medications. This study used sales and prescriber data to assess access to topical retinoid therapies and their costs in the pre- and post- Rx-to-OTC transition. We demonstrate that the prescription to OTC transition of adapalene gel increased access to this medication, while lowering costs to patients and payers, including Medicare patients. These results provide a necessary call to action for future OTC shifts with other high safety profile, well-tolerated medications in ultimate efforts and hopes of cost savings for patients, insurers, and Medicare within our healthcare industry.

APA Citation

Fix, William; Desai, Sapana; Nussbaum, Dillon; and Friedman, Adam, "Rx -to- OTC switch increased access and lowered cost of topical adapalene" (2024). GW Authored Works. Paper 4943.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/4943

Department

Dermatology