Will the Cabinet Secretary investigate why residents in parts of Wales have been informed that all emollients have been withdrawn as a treatment for the complex skin condition palmoplantar keratoderma, without an alternative being suggested?
The NHS takes an evidence-based approach to the prescription of medicines and treatments and follows the advice of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the all-Wales Medicines Advisory Group.
Guidance from NICE suggests that for many skin conditions, specific bath and shower emollients offer no additional benefit over standard emollient preparations such as emollient creams. Some health boards are therefore reviewing the prescribing of emollient bath and shower preparation, however there are no restrictions on prescribing other forms of emollient.
If people prefer to use an emollient bath or shower preparation, these are available over-the-counter from local community pharmacies or in some cases from other retailers, including supermarkets.