Marketing Research of Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer

Abstract

  Hand antisepsis is the most basic method to prevent expanding infection transmitted by the hands of medical staff. Appropriately use of hand antisepsis is very important. At present, the rubbing method with alcohol-based hand sanitizer (rubbing detergent) is recommended and is the major clinical practice if medical staff hands are not severely contaminated. How products of rubbing detergent are used remains unknown, because the market for rubbing detergent was expanded when H1N1 flu was prevalent in 2009. In this report, we researched the actual situation of marketing products of rubbing detergent by collecting the latest information, to evaluate disposition of the products and appropriate selection. We researched the legal division, effective ingredients of antisepsis, method of use and properties of the products. A total of 164 products were examined. The products were divided to four types by legal classification as ethical pharmaceuticals, nonproprietary drugs, nonmedical products and miscellaneous types. We thought that miscellaneous types were not appropriate for clinical use. The volume needed for one time hand antisepsis was not decided for almost all rubbing detergent products. We considered that about 3 mL of rubbing detergent was required that took 20-30 seconds for dryness. Additionally, properties of rubbing detergent were divided into three types, gel, liquid and bubble. We must select appropriate hand antisepsis considering the factors as efficacy of antisepsis and feeling of use. These findings should promote appropriate hand hygiene.