Abstract

Since April patients may buy various hydrocortisone creams and ointments from a pharmacist. The licensing of these hydrocortisone preparations for ‘over the counter’ sale recognises that they are the safest of all the corticosteroid applications for the skin. Nevertheless the licensing authority seeks to minimise risks from unrestrained use by restricting the indications for which these products may be promoted, by specifying when they should not be used and by limiting the extent and duration of use.