Polly Buchanan describes how independent and supplementary prescribing can be used in the treatment of dermatological conditions

Williams (1997) cites that at least 25 per cent of the total population in the UK has a skin complaint of which 19 percent will consult their general practitioner (GP). Therefore, caring for patients with dermatological conditions represents a significant workload for health professionals in primary care. Future dermatology services are aimed at improving dermatology services within primary care (Evans 2001) and reducing the waiting times for patients to be seen in secondary care (Irvine 2003). This has already resulted in the development of nurse-led clinics in primary care for patients with chronic inflammatory skin disease (Bowcock and Bailey 2002, Mateos 2002, Penzer 2000, Rolfe 2002a). Eczematous conditions, psoriasis and acne represent the three main chronic relapsing diseases, which can be managed more effectively in a primary care setting (Rolfe 2002a).