Study of the list of medicines for the acne treatment and their affordability

Abstract

Among dermatological diseases, acne (acne vulgaris) is the most common skin disease, which affects almost 9.4% of the world's population, especially 70‒80% of teenagers and young people, as well as 11% of adults after 25 years. According to experts, the financial burden of acne, taking into account the costs of medicines, diagnostics and dermatologist consultations, is quite expensive for patients.
 The aim of the research was to study the list of medicines for the acne treatment on the domestic market, with an emphasis on dosage forms for external use, and to assess their affordability to the population.
 The objects of the study were medicines for the treatment of acne. Data analysis of group D10 from the "State Register of Medicinal Products of Ukraine" as of the end of 2023 was carried out. The following methods were used: content analysis, marketing, systematization and generalization, information search.
 It was investigated that there are 17 medicines for the topical treatment of acne on the market of Ukraine, of which only 11% are domestically produced, the remaining 89% are imported manufacturers, which indicates the high import dependence of this segment. It was found that there is only one domestic manufacturer that offers only one drug, so the development of domestic medicines is urgent.
 It was found that for the topical treatment of acne in the form of gel 59% of the assortment of drugs for external use, in the form of creams only 18%, in the form of lotion – 12%. Only one position is presented: skin solution and powder for preparation of the solution. The coefficient of adequacy of the solvency of medicines for external and systemic treatment of acne was calculated and it was shown that most of the medicines are expensive.
 It was found that 17.6% of the studied assortment for external treatment of acne and 50% of drugs for systemic use are not available in pharmacies. The pharmaceutical development of domestic mediсines and the availability of extemporaneous forms for the treatment of acne in pharmacies are relevant. Pharmacoeconomic studies of these medicines are needed to determine which is more cost-effective for the patient to reduce the financial burden. To ensure adherence to acne treatment, patients need to be provided with appropriate pharmaceutical care, especially with topical retinoids, which will help improve treatment outcomes.