Get prescribing right the first time with Cetraben®
The impact of dry skin conditions continue to mount
- Each year there are 13m GP consultations relating to skin conditions at a cost of £481m.†1,2 1 in 15 of these consultations result in referral.3
- There are 377,000 patients on the NHS dermatology waiting list and in 9% of NHS Trusts waiting times can be over 1 year for dermatology patients4
- The cost of referring dermatology patients to secondary care is up to £157m‡5,6
† Average cost of £37 per GP consultation3
‡ Approximate cost of £198 per dermatology outpatient appointment6
NICE recommends emollients as first-line treatment in eczema7
Prescribe an emollient according to the dryness of the skin, and individual preference/tolerance.
Often, several different emollients will be required (for example for different areas of skin, different stages of flare, or for use in different locations)
Where possible, prescribe an emollient with a pump dispenser to minimise the risk of bacterial contamination.
Proprietary products are often preferred to non-proprietary products; it may be a false economy to prescribe solely on the basis of price.
The benefits of emollients:
- Fewer primary care visits8
- Reduced cost of care8
- Potential for reduced antibiotic and steroid prescriptions8
References
1. British Skin Foundation. GP in a Dermatology world. Available at: https://www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/blog/gp-in-a-dermatology-world. Last accessed: December 2025. 2. The King’s Fund. Key facts and figures about the NHS. Available at: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/data-and-charts/key-facts-figures-nhs. Last accessed: December 2025. 3. Brainard J, et al. Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2024;151(2):103248. 4. CSL. Dermatology NHS Waiting Times, 2023. Available at: https://www.csl-uk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Dermatology-NHS-waiting-times-white-paper.pdf. Last accessed: December 2025. 5. UK Parliament Health Committee. Written evidence from the British Association of Dermatologists (LTC 89). Available at: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmselect/cmhealth/401/401vw78.htm. Last accessed: December 2025. 6. NHS England. 2023/25 NHS Payment Scheme: 2023/24 prices workbook. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/23-25NHSPS_Annex-A-23-24-prices-workbook.xlsx. Last accessed: December 2025. 7. NICE. Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS): Eczema – atopic: Emollients. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/eczema-atopic/prescribing-information/emollients/. Last accessed: December 2025. 8. Moncrieff G, et al. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2013;38(3):231-8;quiz 238. 9. Cetraben® Cream Prescribing Information. 10. Cetraben® Lotion Prescribing Information. 11. Cetraben® Ointment Prescribing Information.
