Four companies have been sent letters by the FDA warning against inaccurate claims stating that their products stave off infection from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (MRSA). Statistical data suggest that as many as 19,000 people per year die from MRSA in the U.S. but the most current data suggest this number has declined by about 25% to 35% in recent years, in part, because of prevention practices at hospitals and home care alone.

MRSA was first noted in 1961, about two years after the antibiotic methicillin was initially used to treat S. aureus and other infectious bacteria. The resistance to methicillin was due to a penicillin-binding protein coded for by a mobile genetic element termed the methicillin-resistant gene (mecA). In recent years, the gene has continued to evolve so that many MRSA strains are currently resistant to several different antibiotics such as penicillin, oxacillin, and amoxicillin.

Infections may start on the skin, then develop into deep, painful abscesses; the bacteria may also move into the bloodstream, causing potentially life-threatening infections. MRSA often circulates in hospitals, nursing homes and other health-care settings, but has been found to spread in the community, particularly in school locker rooms and child-care facilities.

Lotion based hand sanitizers work in the same manner as gel-based hand sanitizers but come in a thicker, more moisturizing formula. Like other sanitizers, however, it’s important to look at the ingredients. Several of these popular formulas do not contain alcohol, which is the most effective ingredient for killing germs.

Labeling and marketing materials for the affected products also claim that they can prevent infection from other disease-causing agents.

In addition, the labeling of some of the firms’ hand sanitizing drug products make claims related to preventing infection from E.coli and/or H1N1 flu virus. The FDA does not have sufficient evidence demonstrating that these products are safe and effective for these purposes.

What brands and products should you look out for? Here’s the list the FDA mentions in a news release:

  • Tec Laboratories for Staphaseptic First Aid Antiseptic/Pain Relieving Gel
  • JD Nelson and Associates for Safe4Hours Hand Sanitizing Lotion and Safe4Hours First Aid Antiseptic Skin Protectant
  • Dr. G.H. Tichenor Antiseptic Co. for Dr. Tichenor’s Antiseptic Gel
  • Oh So Clean, Inc dba CleanWell Company for CleanWell All-Natural Foaming Hand Sanitizer, CleanWell All-Natural Hand Sanitizer, CleanWell All-Natural Hand Sanitizing Wipes, and CleanWell All-Natural Antibacterial Foaming Handsoap

Deborah Autor, director of the Office of Compliance in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research said:

“MRSA is a serious public health threat. The FDA cannot allow companies to mislead consumers by making unproven prevention claims.”

Source: The United States Food and Drug Adminstration

Written by Sy Kraft