AMA recommends evaluation of anti-bacterial products

June 14, 2000
Web posted at: 4:29 p.m. EDT (2029 GMT)

From Debra Goldschmidt
CNN Medical Unit

CHICAGO (CNN) -- The American Medical Association recommended Wednesday that the Food and Drug Administration speed up its evaluation and regulation of antimicrobial soaps and medicines that may help make bacteria resistant to disease-fighting drugs.

AMA's Council on Scientific Affairs said the FDA should expedite regulation of antimicrobial agents in such consumer products as hand lotions, soaps and body washes. Antimicrobials include antibiotics and other medicinal products that fight bacteria, parasites and viruses.

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Read more about the WHO report
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How to wash your hands: Use soap and warm water Scrub vigorously for at least 10-15 seconds Rinse well and dry From CDC National Center for Infectious Diseases

The group warned that while the use of antimicrobial products does not necessarily contribute to drug resistance, "such use may be a potential source of antibiotic resistant organisms" that are not killed by standard medical treatments.

The AMA's recommendation came two days after the World Health Organization reported that almost all major infectious diseases are gradually becoming resistant to the drugs used against them.

WHO said antibacterial soaps and cleaning agents contribute to the problem.

Current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend using ordinary soap and water instead of antimicrobial products.

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World Health Organization
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Medical Association

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