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YOUR QUERIES

ASK Our Information

Services agony
aunt Sue Swift
SUE shares your

recent queries
around The

Drug Tariff.

Remember - Information Services are here to offer a helping hand whenever you need them.
Let us do the work so you can concentrate on helping your team and your patients.

Ask Sue: Tariff Tip – Metanium Nappy Rash
Ointment (Discontinued)

I’ve had a few questions land on my desk lately about Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment –
mainly from members wondering if they can swap it for another Metanium product.
If you’ve had the same query in your pharmacy, here’s what you need to know…

Q: I’ve had a prescription for Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment –
can I supply Metanium Everyday Barrier Ointment instead?

A: No – they’re not the same product. Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment (Thornton &
Ross Ltd), which contained titanium dioxide, titanium peroxide, and titanium salicylate,
has now been discontinued and is no longer available.
The manufacturer is clear that Metanium Everyday Barrier Ointment is not a treatment
for nappy rash – it’s marketed as a cosmetic product to help prevent irritation, not as
a licensed medicine or appliance. It doesn’t carry a CE mark and therefore isn’t suitable
for prescribing.

Q: What did the discontinued ointment look like?

A: It came in an all-yellow pack and was licensed as a medicine for the treatment of
nappy rash. Don’t confuse this with the Everyday Barrier Ointment, which has different
packaging and a different purpose.

Q: What alternatives can I suggest to the prescriber?

A: Here are a few suitable treatment options:
• Bepanthen Nappy Care Ointment 5% (Bayer PLC) – Generic: Dexpanthenol.
Available in 30g and 100g.
• Sudocrem (Teva UK Ltd) – Available in 60g, 125g, 250g, and 400g tubs.
• Sudosalve 0.15% Nappy Rash Treatment Cream (Teva UK Ltd) – Generic:
Dibrompropamidine 0.15%. Available in a 25g tube.
• Drapolene Cream (Supra Enterprises Ltd) – Generic: Cetrimide 0.2% / Benzalkonium
chloride 0.01%. Available in 100g and 350g sizes.

Q: Where can I check if I’m unsure?

• A: Call Information Services on 0800 783 5709 (option 2) – we’ll be happy to advise.

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P4403.59-V69 Numark Pharmacy Magazine october.indd 29 11/09/2025 13:25:41