Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 13 January (HC3975) what assessment they have made of the level of compliance 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'; including any preference for licensed medicinal products over unregulated biocidal forms to prevent antimicrobial resistance and ensure patient safety.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), as the regulator for medicines and medical devices in the United Kingdom, continues to recommend the use of licensed medicines. Use of an appropriately authorised product, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions for use, ensures the benefit-risk balance remains favourable within its specified indication for use. Assessments and compliance on the use of chlorhexidine is not reported to the MHRA. Adverse reactions to chlorhexidine can be reported to the MHRA through the Yellow Card reporting system by patients and healthcare professionals.