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Kristina Hagenström,1 Kristin Sauer,1 Nicole Mohr,1 Marleen Dettmann,1 Gerd Glaeske,2 Jana Petersen,1 Claudia Garbe,1 Tim Steimle,3 Matthias Augustin1 1German Center for Health Services Research in Dermatology (CVderm), Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany; 2Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany; 3Techniker Krankenkasse, Hamburg, GermanyCorrespondence: Kristina HagenströmGerman Center for Health Services Research in Dermatology (CVderm), Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistraße 52, Hamburg, 20246, GermanyTel +49 (0) 40 7410 554 28Fax +49 (0) 40 7410 553 48Email k.hagenstroem@uke.deBackground: Information on the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) varies greatly, and so far, only a few studies describe the healthcare of patients with AD in Germany.Objective: The aim of the study is to describe the prevalence and medications of people with AD in Germany.Methods: Health insurance data for the year 2019 were examined. Prevalence rates, the severity of disease, comorbidities and pharmaceutical supply were analyzed. Insured persons with AD were identified with at least one outpatient or inpatient International Classification Code of Diseases (L20).Results: In 2019, 4.21% [95% CI 4.21− 4.22%] of insured persons had AD (3.6 million). Women were affected slightly more frequently than men (4.74% [95% CI 4.73− 4.74%] and 3.64% [95% CI 3.64− 3.65%]). Adolescents and children under the age of 15 had the highest prevalence of AD compared to other age groups (9.44% [95% CI 9.42− 9.46%]). Majority of the insured persons with AD were affected by a mild to moderate form of the disease. The most common co-morbidity was infections of the skin (RR 5.00 [95% CI 4.97− 5.02%]). Some patients were treated by a dermatologist, while others by a general practitioner, 39.10% and 36.74%, respectively. Of the anti-inflammatory drugs, systemic glucocorticosteroids preparations were used most frequently and were most frequently prescribed by the general practitioner. With a total of 42,841 prescriptions (1.53%), methotrexate (third-line treatment option) was prescribed more frequently than ciclosporin with 19,628 prescriptions (0.70%) or azathioprine with 25,696 prescriptions (0.92%). Ciclosporin (first-line treatment option) was prescribed much more frequently by a dermatologist (44.00% versus 14.32% by general practitioner). The biological dupilumab was prescribed 30,801 times (1,10%) and was also primarily prescribed by a dermatologist (66.67%).Conclusion: The present results reveal that a specialist treats approximately one-third of the patients with AD and that there is still a drug undersupply in some cases, especially concerning innovative drugs.Keywords: epidemiology, frequency of illness, pharmaceutical supply, neurodermatitis, statutory health insurance

Background: Despite numbers of prescriptions filled remaining constant, expenditures for drugs are rising. Among others, this is caused by high prices for orphan drugs and advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs). Despite attempts by policymakers to intervene, the increasing use of these therapies poses numerous challenges on the health care system.Results: Using data from the University Hospital Heidelberg, we found that the division of pediatric neurology is experiencing a strong increase in drug costs, caused by two pharmaceuticals for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Nusinersen and Onasemnogene Abeparvovec. To put this finding in a broader context, we conducted a survey of 41 German SMA treatment centers revealing a general lack of human and infrastructure resources for therapy and follow-up care, which demonstrates insufficient reimbursement of treatment. To improve structural conditions, we propose that disease-independent registries for medication surveillance that comply with the rules of the European Union are needed as well as the development of a fair funding model.Conclusion: Innovative forms of therapy require a critical discussion and concise regulation of treatment application and follow-up reimbursement as well as international industry-independent registry work. Based on the previously described model of “evidence-based dynamic pricing” by the Techniker Krankenkasse, we propose a revised model which offers an internationally scalable solution to meet these challenges.

Background: Despite a constant number of prescriptions, the expenditures of the statutory health insurance funds for pharmaceuticals are rising sharply. This is due to high prices for orphan drugs and advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs). Despite attempts by policymakers to intervene, such as the 2011 German Pharmaceutical Market Restructuring Act (Arzneimittelmarktneuordnungsgesetz, AMNOG), the use of these therapies poses numerous challenges for the healthcare system, especially insurance companies and healthcare providers.Results: Using data from the University Hospital Heidelberg, we found that the division of pediatric neurology is experiencing a disproportionate increase in drug costs, caused by two drugs for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Nusinersen and Onasemnogen Abeparvovec. A survey of 41 German SMA treatment centers revealed a lack of human and infrastructural resources to manage therapy and follow-up care, which currently is insufficiently reimbursed. Disease-independent registers that comply with the rules of the European Union for medication surveillance and which are not tied to the pharmaceutical industry are necessary.Conclusion: Innovative forms of therapy require a critical discussion and regulation of application, aftercare and reimbursement as well as (inter)national industry independent registry work. Based on the model of evidence-based dynamic pricing by the Techniker Krankenkasse, we propose a concept which offers an internationally scalable solution to combat these challenges.