asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why there has been a delay in the issue of a licence for ChloraPrep despite the recommendation of the Health Protection Agency in July 2005; and whether the use of 2 per cent chlorhexidine preparations is more effective in preventing methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) than the 0.5 per cent currently available for use in central line insertion.[HL7294]

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency granted a licence for ChloraPrep on 10 September 2005 and the licence holder has confirmed that the product has been available since early November 2005.

Although ChloraPrep is a preparation containing two per cent chlorhexidine gluconate in 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol and is indicated for the disinfection of pre-injection sites, the product information does not make any claims for activity against methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus.