NHS England

NHS England publishes guidance on “items which should not be routinely prescribed in primary care”. After the BATHE trial it added bath and shower emollient preparations to that list in 2019. GPs are told not to start them for new patients, to deprescribe them and switch to a leave-on emollient used as a soap substitute, and to suggest buying over the counter if a family still wants them. This shapes what UK toddlers with eczema get on prescription.

Connections

• Emollient Bath Additives — not for routine prescribing (2019), source: Lincolnshire PACEF
• Soap Substitutes — leave-on emollient as wash is the default replacement, source: Lincolnshire PACEF