Written question asked by Lord MacKenzie of Culkein (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Warner (Labour) on Monday, 9 October 2006.

MRSA

Question: Why there has been a delay in the issue of a licence for ChloraPrep despite the recommendation of the Health Protection Agency in July 2005; and whether the use of 2 per cent chlorhexidine preparations is more effective in preventing methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) than the 0.5 per cent currently available for use in central line insertion.

Answer: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency granted a licence for ChloraPrep on 10 September 2005 and the licence holder has confirmed that the product has been available since early November 2005. Although ChloraPrep is a preparation containing two per cent chlorhexidine gluconate in 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol and is indicated for the disinfection of pre-injection sites, the product information does not make any claims for activity against methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus.

Secondary information