August 19, 2002
RSPT 02-16                                     

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Antibacterial wash products - when properly used - are effective at reducing the risk of infection by killing or controlling the growth of harmful microorganisms on the skin. Use of antibacterial products is a part of good hygiene practices in homes, workplaces, schools, and healthcare settings.

The AMA position on the issue has been known since 2000.  The current writing by the AMA's Council on Scientific Affairs (Archives of Dermatolology/Vol 138, August 2002) does not offer any new insights and is simply a summary of a very limited database leading to incorrect conclusions.

 Because antimicrobial wash products are classified as drugs in the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must review information on their safety and effectiveness. The authors also failed to consider the significant amount of data submitted to the FDA on the safety and effectiveness of antimicrobial washes, as well as the 1997 conclusions of an FDA Expert Panel that resistance is not a concern at this time.

 In Europe, the European Commission's Scientific Steering Committee just recently completed its comprehensive and thorough scientific review and analysis of data on antibiotic resistance regarding triclosan, the most commonly used antibacterial ingredient in consumer products, and found that:

 [The SSC considers that]  "Triclosan is a useful and effective biocide which has been safely used for many years across a broad range of dental, medical, cosmetic and household products and is increasingly finding a use in clinically important applications."

 [The SSC therefore concludes that] "There is no convincing evidence that Triclosan poses a risk to humans or to the environment by inducing or transmitting antibacterial resistance under current conditions of use."

Antimicrobial products kill germs, and that is a benefit to consumers and their families. Removing these products would deprive consumers of effective hygiene products and would not help in eliminating antibiotic resistance. The AMA should focus efforts on preventing misuse and over-prescription of antibiotic medicines by doctors and their patients, factors that are known to contribute to an increase in antibiotic resistance.

 For more information on Triclosan, contact Ciba Specialty Chemicals at 336-801-2095 or their web site at http://www.cibasc.com/view.asp?id=1914.

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