OBJECTIVES: Pharmacological and economic analysis of public health system expenses on children's atopic dermatitis. METHODS: Evaluation of cost and expenses on the disease included expenditures on hospital and ambulatory assistance and sanatorium-and-spa treatment. In 2000-2003, children's medical institutions of Vladivostok city held a survey of 200 families with children suffering from atopic dermatitis and analysis of medical documentation. RESULTS: Volume of expenses was determined to a great extent by severity of the disease clinical course and spread of atopic dermatitis. Number of recourses to medical assistance with light course of the disease was in most cases not more that four times per year and was restricted to outpatient treatment only, the cost of treatment amounted to 600-1400 rubles ($20-47) per child per year. In case of severe course and poor control over the disease number of recourses increased up to 14-20 per year, the expenses included cost of consultations of allergologist and dermatologist and amounted up to 2100-7000 rubles ($322-406) per year. Further worsening of case required hospital treatment expenses. On average, 0.37 cases of hospital treatment fall at one child with atopic dermatitis per year, with severe clinical course this value increased up to 1.34„b0.2 cases, treatment duration was 15.62„b1.02 days. Average cost of hospital treatment per a child suffering from atopic dermatitis in 2000-2003 was 2775.84-3675.69 rubles ($86-124), 1922.7-2896.1 rubles ($60-98) and 3793.1-5713.5 rubles ($118-193) in allergologic, dermatologic and pediatric divisions respectively. Expenses on 21 days of sanatorium-and-spa treatment in Primorsky region amounted to 12000 rubles ($406) and were registered in 2.4% of families with children suffering from atopic dermatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Atopic dermatitis requires considerable expenses on medical treatment from public health system as well as expenses on pharmacotherapy from patient.