In December 2017, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule on the safety and efficacy of certain active ingredients used in antiseptic hand soaps in human healthcare.
The biggest impact to healthcare facilities is that triclosan, the most commonly used soap active, is no longer permitted as an active ingredient. As a result, triclosan-based hand soaps can no longer be marketed and sold, and manufacturers will have one year to comply with the final rule by reformulating their products or removing them from the market.
Source: Repertoire, June 2018. Link.
Choosing a soap can be confusing, especially given current recommendations. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization hand hygiene guidelines allow the use of either an antimicrobial or a non-antimicrobial soap, and due to a lack of evidence demonstrating clinical benefit (i.e. resulting reduction of infection rates), do not recommend one over the other.
Studies of bacterial reduction on the hands support that alcohol-based hand rub is most efficacious, followed by antimicrobial soap, followed by non-antimicrobial soap as least efficacious. That said, human healthcare facilities are permitted the choice between antimicrobial and non-antimicrobial soap or may use a combination of the two.
INSIGHTS: Trends in human health often drift into animal health. Sales representatives can help by finding alternative soaps for customers