[Occupational dermatoses in the pharmaceutical industry]

The analysis of the total of 76 occupational dermatoses registered after 1962 in the pharmaceutical industry of the district of Dresden results in the following statements: The morbidity must be regarded as three times higher than in other branches of the chemical industry. Compared with the average dates of all occupational dermatoses, those in the pharmaceutical industry need a shorter induction time for starting. On the other hand, they are to be cured faster and with less recurrences. The lists of causal agents are heterogeneous and differ largely from those of drug induced eczemas of our clinical patients or of employees in public health services. Examples are given for a predictive recognizing of strong contact sensitizers by means of their chemical structure.