THE New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority (Medsafe) is proposing a label warning for paraffin-based skin products, first identified as a serious fire-risk by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
While the New Zealand Formulary entry for emollients contains a warning, Medsafe is concerned that only health professionals read this.
"This means that without any contact with a healthcare professional, a consumer may not be aware of a fire hazard with paraffin-based skin products," Medsafe says on its website.
With a number of medical dressings and other skin-contact products containing the soothing paraffin oil products such as creams, ointments, lotions and gels, Medsafe is proposing a warning label and seeking public comment on both the wording and conditions of label warnings.
Britain's MHRA reminded healthcare professionals of the fire-risks of paraffin in Apr 2016.
See consult.health.govt.nz.
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