BBC News Online: Health

Antibacterial soap 'may not work'

The American Medical Association has called on the US government to carry out a review of antibacterial soaps.

At a meeting in Chicago, its members suggested antibacterial soaps may be no more effective against germs than ordinary soap.

They said the would monitor a review into the products by the US Food and Drug Administration very closely.

Doctors are particularly concerned that antibacterial soaps could be contributing to the growing problem of drug resistant bacteria.

This may be because it is killing the weakest bacteria, leaving the tougher, hard-to-kill strains dominant.

Overuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of new bacterial strains that are largely untreatable because they are resistant to existing drugs.

However, the AMA stopped short of recommending that consumers should avoid using antibacterial soaps and similar products such as mouthwashes and lotions.

Trade groups in the US criticised the AMA's position, which they dismissed as "unscientific theory".