Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to align the use of chlorhexidine in healthcare and consumer products with the recommendation in the Joint Royal College of Surgeons of England and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Statement on use of Topical Chlorhexidine for Skin Preparation Prior to Surgery, calling for the use of licensed medicinal products over unregulated biocidal forms to prevent antimicrobial resistance and safeguard patient safety.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, as the regulator for medicines and medical devices in the United Kingdom, continues to recommend the use of licensed medicines to prepare the skin prior to surgery. Use of an appropriately authorised product for its specific intended use, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions for use, is the only way to ensure the benefit-risk balance remains favourable.