FDA Seeks to Review Safety and Effectiveness of Antibacterial Soaps
On December 16, 2013, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a proposed rule, “Safety and Effectiveness of Consumer Antiseptics,” that would require manufacturers of over-the-counter (OTC) antibacterial soaps and body washes to provide the FDA with data demonstrating that the products are safe for long-term use and effective in preventing illness and infection. You can read the FDA’s announcement here. The proposed rule is part of the FDA’s ongoing review of the safety and effectiveness of the active ingredients in antibacterial soaps and related products, which are not found in non-antibacterial, or plain, soap. Further, as noted above,…