Skip to main content

Closed petition: Review the prescribing and sale of topical corticosteroids

Closed on

We ask the government to review prescribing protocols and over-the-counter availability of topical corticosteroids. We believe that topical corticosteroids have been over-prescribed and irresponsibly prescribed for decades – leading to what is known as ‘Topical Steroid Addiction’.

This can cause the iatrogenic illness known as ‘Red Skin Syndrome’ – often misdiagnosed as ‘worsening eczema’.

The recovery process - ‘Topical Steroid Withdrawal’ is brutal, highly debilitating, and often lasts for years. Healthcare professionals need to fully understand the potential serious side-effects of these medications before prescribing them to patients, to prevent unnecessary, preventable suffering.

2,106 signatures


Petition progress

View all updates for this petition, with the most recent first.

  • Petition closed

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 8 July 2025.