Over the counter sales of steroid cream and ointment

BMJ 1994;309:740 (17 September)

Letters

Over the counter sales of steroid cream and ointment

EDITOR, - C J McLean and colleagues draw attention to the dangersof long term periocular use of strong steroid ointments andin particular express alarm at, and advise caution in, the overthe counter sale of 1% hydrocortisone ointment from communitypharmacies.¹ Although topical hydrocortisone cream and ointmentcan be sold over the counter for a limited range of indications,their use is contraindicated on the face and they should thereforenot be sold for this purpose. In addition, patients should beinstructed both at the point of sale and by reference to patientinformation supplied with the container that any treatment coursemust not last longer than one week.

M Wilcock

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly District and Family Health Services Authorities, St Austell, Cornwall PL25 4NQ.