Routine prescribing of emollients still permitted for eczema
NHSE Guidance on routine emollient prescribing published in 2018 is intended to encourage people to self-care for minor illnesses as the first stage of treatment. It applies to ‘mild dry skin’ and ‘mild irritant dermatitis’.1
It does not apply to eczema, which is a long-term condition and is not considered to be a minor condition. Read the guidance here.
Cost-benefit analysis: the results
A recently published retrospective study revealed prescribing emollients to treat atopic eczema is associated with fewer primary care visits and reduced healthcare utilisation.2 Read more here.
When Aveeno®, a colloidal oatmeal preparation, was prescribed first-line to eczema patients, the cost savings were significant when compared with switching to Aveeno® later in the treatment pathway. The difference was due to lower visit costs and reductions in prescriptions for anti-microbials and corticosteroids.2
The cost-benefit analysis was used to create the DECODE model: DEfining Cost & Clinical Outcomes in DErmatology2.
DECODE calculates the cost effectiveness of emollient prescribing in primary care.
To find out how you could make savings for your CCG email decode@its.jnj.com and request a consultation with a Johnson & Johnson Development Manager today.
References
1. NHS England. 2018. Conditions for which over the counter items should not routinely be prescribed in primary care: Guidance for CCGs.
2. Moncrieff G et al. BMC Dermatol 2018;18:9.
3. Herd RM et al. Br J Dermatol 1996;135:20-23, 4. Kerr OA et al. Clin Exp Dermatol 2009;35:380-83, 5. Atopic eczema in under 12s: diagnosis and management. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG57/chapter/1- Guidance#treatment, 6. National Eczema Society. November 2018. Emollient prescribing for eczema: information for primary care prescribers. Date of prep: March 2019