Healthcare professional surveys to investigate the implementation of the isotretinoin Pregnancy Prevention Programme: a descriptive study

Abstract

Objective: Three online surveys explored compliance with the PPP by pharmacists and dermatologists, in the Netherlands. In 2007 and 2011, two pharmacist surveys were conducted to assess improvement over time.

Methods: In 2007, survey was sent to members of the Utrecht Pharmacy Panel for Education & Research (UPPER) network (n = 1000) and in 2011, to the research group of the Dutch Association of Pharmacists (KNMP) (n = 556). In 2010, a survey was sent to 564 dermatologists of the Dutch Association of Dermatology and Venereology (NVDV).

Results: Both pharmacists' questionnaires had response rates of 20% and the dermatologist questionnaire of 28%. Pharmacists' checks on 30-day dispensing remained 82%, but a check whether the prescription is out-of-date decreased (61 to 53%). Pharmacists asked the patient for a negative pregnancy test in 15%, but use of contraception was checked by 44 – 49%. One hundred and five dermatologists (64%) always prescribe contraception; 35 (22%) occasionally. Ninety-three percent of the dermatologists were of the opinion that they performed the PPP. Analysis of different elements of the PPP showed that 41 (25%) were compliant.

Conclusions: The observed non-adherence to the isotretinoin PPP calls for careful evaluation of risk minimisation plans and participation of all stakeholders in the development of these plans.

Keywords::

• acne
• dermatology
• isotretinoin
• pregnancy
• prevention
• surveys

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Prof. P-J Coenraads, dermatologist, Prof. HGM Leufkens, pharmacist and chairman of the Medicines Evaluation Board and Prof. AFAM Schobben, pharmacist and member of the Medicines Evaluation Board for their helpful input. We thank the Dutch Association of Dermatology and Venereology, Dutch Association of Pharmacists and the Utrecht Pharmacy Panel for Education & Research (UPPER) Network for mailing the survey to their members. We would like to thank the participants for completing the questionnaires.