New Acne Drugs From Popular New Zealand Chain
In an effort to improve teenagers' access to the latest in advanced acne drugs and treatments, a New Zealand skincare chain opened a series of acne clinics yesterday.
The spread of new clinics was prompted by Pharmac, a government drug funding agency, widening prescribing rights to Isotretinoin (also known as Roaccutane) -- currently a controversial treatment for acne -- starting next month.
In a recent article on the subject, the author states:
New Zealand and Australian dermatologists were concerned by Pharmac's move, as the drug's side effects include a risk of birth defects for pregnant women, and there is ongoing debate around the evidence of increased risk of suicidal thoughts.
Pharmac said it had made its decision fully aware of the risks. It had decided to allow greater access because not everyone could afford, or had access to, a specialist dermatologist.
The Skin Institute said its nationwide clinics would be run by dermatologists to address some of the equity of access issues Pharmac had identified.
University of Auckland Medical School general practice head Professor Bruce Arroll's research in 1995 backed up Pharmac's concerns.
Apparently Arroll found a lack of use of drugs like Isotretinoin amonst kids from lower to middle class families where acne was a huge cause of social anxiety.
