Closed petition Review the prescribing and sale of topical corticosteroids

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’.

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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.

This petition is closed All petitions run for 6 months

2,106 signatures

Progress of the petition towards its next target: 2,106 of 10,000 signatures required to get a government response

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10,000 signatures required to get a government response

Date closed 8 July 2025
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