Handwashing and handrubbing are emphasised as the most important measure to prevent cross transmission of microorganisms and thus to prevent diseases and infections from spreading.
Every new formulation for hand antisepsis should be tested for its antimicrobial efficacy to demonstrate that it has superior efficacy over normal soap or it meets an agreed performance standard. The formulation with all its ingredients should be evaluated to ensure that chemical components added to ensure better skin tolerance do not in any way compromise its antimicrobial action.
Many test methods are currently available for this purpose, but some are more useful and relevant than others. For example, determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of such formulations against bacteria has no direct bearing on the “killing effect” expected of such products in the field.
Conditions in suspension and in vitro or ex vivo testing do not reflect those on human skin. This reinforces the utility of laboratory-based tests on volunteers to provide sufficient data to assess a given formulation’s potential benefits under field use.
