Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the long term prescribing of topical corticosteroids.

In 2021 the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency conducted a review and concluded that, when used appropriately, topical corticosteroids are a safe and effective treatment, and they continue to monitor the safety of these products. No further assessment has been made.

When making prescribing decisions for their patients, clinicians are expected to take into account best prescribing practice, in this case on the use of topical corticosteroids, alongside local commissioning decisions. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has made a number of recommendations on the use of topical corticosteroids in guidelines, on topics such as atopic eczema in under 12-year-olds, and psoriasis.

It is for the general practitioner or other responsible clinician to work with their patient and decide on the best course of treatment, with the provision of the most clinically appropriate care for the individual always being the primary consideration.