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Ethanol as a lifesaver: why we need it for hygiene and medicine
Ethanol plays a crucial role in medicine, especially in the production of medicines and disinfectants. Dr. Kai Joachimsen from the BPI warns of prohibitions that could endanger infection protection. Find out why ethanol is indispensable for health and how it is used safely and effectively.
Ethanol as a lifesaver: why we need it for hygiene and medicine
alarm level red for ethanol! Health warning for medicine!
ethanol is in the crossfire - the latest risk assessment of the German Nutrition Society could mean the end of an indispensable ingredient for disinfectants and medicines! Dr. Kai Joachimsen, the chief managing director of the Federal Association of Pharmaceutical Industry (BPI), raises the alarm: "While alcohol can damage in drinks of health, it is indispensable for the production of medicines and medical devices as well as in the area of hygiene!"
The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) is considering a drastic reorganization that could ban the use of ethanol in medical products. Why? Because the risk classification is based solely on existing data for oral intake of ethanol! A huge misjudgment that could be the medical care on the brink.
hygiene in the first place!
The Covid 19 pandemic has impressively showed how important ethanol is in daily hygiene. Hospitals, care facilities and even pharmacies are dependent on their disinfection. Almost 30 international medical associations cannot believe it and demand unequivocally: Ethanol must continue to be fully approved as an active ingredient in hand hygiene! The BPI supports this urgent claim with all my might.
"Here apples are compared with pears," continued Joachimsen. In fact, ethanol is absorbed in such small quantities in disinfectant that it has hardly any effect. Dr. Joachimsen explains impressively: "Hand disinfection and surface disinfection with ethanol are demonstrably one of the most effective measures against bacterial and viral infections." People with a weakened immune system are particularly worth protecting - for them, ethanol -containing disinfectants are essential for survival!
ethanol in drug production: vital!
ethanol is not only important for hygiene products; It pumps fresh life into the drug production! It is required everywhere as a carrier, preservatives and solvents for water -insoluble substances. Especially in the extraction of herbal medicines, Ethanol becomes the best friend of the manufacturer! His role is so central that an alternative simply does not exist in many cases.
But that's not all! "Ethanol in drugs usually only occurs in small quantities," explains Joachimsen. Even the experts were surprised: "20 drops of a 50 percent alcoholic solution contain less alcohol than 100 grams of fruit juice or rye bread!" A clear announcement against the flat -rate prejudices against ethanol!
The message is clear: ethanol is not the same as ethanol! The risks and dangers of the luxury food must not be transferred to the evaluation of ethanol as a healing active ingredient. Dr. Joachimsen demands more mindfulness in the risk assessment and warns of the devastating consequences of a possible ban: "A prohibition of ethanol -containing disinfectants would have catastrophic effects on infection protection!"
Time is pushing! Ethanol is the salvation for many - and the critical medical infrastructure needs every support!
Berlin is on alert!