The cost of topical anesthetics and topical anti-infectives rose considerably from 1999 to 2008, while the price of topical steroids with and without anti-infectives fell, according to a report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
The mean expense for a single purchase of a prescribed topical anti-infective went from $32 in 1999 to $198 in 2008, an increase of 519%. The per-prescription price of topical anesthetics rose by even more – 676%.
The mean cost of a topical steroid fell by 41%, and the cost of filling a prescription for a combined topical steroid/anti-infective dropped 69%, according to the AHRQ report. All of the 1999 figures were adjusted for inflation.
The total expenditure for dermatologic drugs dropped from $3.3 billion in 1999 to $3.0 billion in 2008, a nonsignificant change. The total number of prescriptions for dermatologic agents fell from 75.8 million to 45.0 million, according to the report.
Notes: Based on data from the civilian noninstitutionalized population from the 1999 and 2008 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Data adjusted to 2008 dollars. Topical psoriasis drugs not included due to small sample size.
Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality