Acne treatment is not prescribed equally to different groups

A new retrospective study finds more evidence to suggest that not all groups are prescribed acne treatment equally. Looking at data from nearly 30,000 electronic health records between January 2007 to June 2017, researchers found that although Black patients were about 20% more likely than white patients to see a dermatologist, they were 11% less likely to be prescribed acne medication. Black patients were also more likely to be prescribed short-term and topical medications versus systemic treatments like isotretinoin, which has been sold as Accutane. Consistent with previous research, the new study also found that male patients are prescribed isotretinoin more than females. Having acne has been linked to depression, and differences in treatment are particularly concerning for populations — including Black and female patients — who are already prone to undertreatment by the medical community, the authors suggest.