The United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) published a standard for chlorhexidine gel, an antiseptic gel that's used to prevent life-threatening umbilical cord infections in newborn babies. This standard is part of USP's new Global Health Standards program that supports the development of standards for medicines not approved in the U.S.

Infections cause 15% of infant deaths every year. Most in South Asia and Africa where home births are common. According to the United Nations Commission on Life-Saving Commodities for Women and Children and Global Strategy for Women's and Children's Health, increasing the availability, accessibility, and proper utilization of chlorhexidine gel in these regions could potentially help avert infections and save lives, and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goal of Universal Health Coverage?access to essential health services without financial burden.

?Mothers and babies in all parts of the world deserve access to medicines that they can trust,? said Ron Piervincenzi, Ph.D., USP executive vice president and CEO. ?USP's standard for chlorhexidine gel will help ensure these patients receive good-quality, safe medicines.?

Links:

http://www.usp.org/news/usp-creates-new-global-health-standard-help-fight-fatal-newborn-infections