The Most Common Active Ingredient In Hand Sanitizer Is Still Under FDA Investigation

(CNN) — After reviewing the safety and effectiveness of hand sanitizers, the US Food and Drug Administration has ruled that dozens of active ingredients can’t be used in the antiseptic rubs, but the agency still wants answers about the most common active ingredient. The rule, issued Thursday, “reaffirmed our need for more data on three other active ingredients, including ethyl alcohol, which is the most commonly used ingredient in hand sanitizers, to help the agency ensure that these products are safe and effective for regular use by consumers,” Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the agency’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in an announcement. “We believe industry has made good progress toward providing data and we will continue to provide updates to the public about the progress of collecting this data.” The final rule regarding dozens of other ingredients will affect less than 3% of the marketplace because most common hand sanitizers use ethyl alcohol, according to the FDA. “We finalized the FDA’s previous determination that 28 active ingredients, including triclosan and benzethonium chloride, are not eligible for evaluation under the FDA’s OTC Drug Review for use in consumer antiseptic rubs,” Woodcock said. Yet “our action today aims to help provide consumers with confidence that the over-the-counter hand sanitizers they’re using are safe and effective when they don’t have access...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health News CNN hand sanitzer Source Type: news