Coal Tar Shampoo to disappear

[Mike1967]

Thought this was interesting, the price of Dovobet is frightening !!

[jiml]

Thanks  Mike.
Polytar and polytar + are my mainstay shampoos I had not noticed a shortage although I don't buy it very often, that's an interesting article which I have passed on.

And I had no idea that dovobet was so expensive, I hope they pour the massive profits back into research and development.

[jiml]

Just had an email from GSK the makers of Polytar as follows: It may be of interest

Quote:

---

As you may know, we have experienced a succession of complex manufacturing and regulatory challenges with Polytar Liquid and Polytar Plus. As a result, the earliest we now expect the return of Polytar Liquid and Polytar Plus is 2016. Unfortunately, we cannot give you a date for resupply for Polytar Emollient at this time. More information will be provided as soon as we can, but we would like to reassure you that we are committed to resupplying these products wherever feasible, and we have a dedicated team managing this as a priority.

We had hoped to bring back Polytar products more quickly and we are very sorry for this delay.

We would like to explain why this is a time-consuming process. Since we last updated you on the Polytar range we have identified the need for additional, essential manufacturing and licensing updates which are required before we can make these products again.

First of all, to improve product quality and ensure regulatory compliance, Polytar Liquid and Polytar Plus are being reformulated. As part of the process, we need to ensure new ingredient specifications meet robust European regulatory requirements and GSK quality standards. This can take some time, and is similar to the exhaustive quality and review process required for the development of new medicines.

In addition, the former supplier of several active ingredients for Polytar has stopped making them, so we have to find a new supplier. Due to the unique complexity and composition of the natural ingredients used to make Polytar, when we find a new supplier, we will need to work closely with them to ensure they have the right technology and we will need to validate their production processes, exactly as we do our own. New equipment will also need to be installed in a dedicated facility, before we can begin commercial manufacturing again.

Finally, to meet current European regulatory, quality and stability requirements, we also need to source new bottles and cartons for Polytar. This requires dedicated equipment as well, which will need to be thoroughly tested at the GSK site where the bottles and cartons are filled.

Once again we can only apologise that bringing back the Polytar range is taking longer than we had hoped it would. In the meantime we are asking consumers to speak with their GP or pharmacist for advice on alternative treatment options.

[Caroline]

Strange explanation.

1) it appears that licensing is part of the problem, translated it will become more expensive.
2) how old is the product, as it is one of the first methods against psoriasis it is probably very old, and suddenly it falls under strong regulations.
3) one cannot reformulate a chemical formula, you will get a different product.
4) no ingredients available ??? The whole world is swallowing in coal and tar, we even mark roads out of it.
5) source new bottle and cartons? Are they going to setup a complete production line first before having the bottles agreed by European regulations?
6) does setting up a production line of simple bottles take 2 years? They may be out of business by then.

A strange story

[jiml]

Strange explanation.

1) it appears that licensing is part of the problem, translated it will become more expensive.
2) how old is the product, as it is one of the first methods against psoriasis it is probably very old, and suddenly it falls under strong regulations.
3) one cannot reformulate a chemical formula, you will get a different product.
4) no ingredients available ??? The whole world is swallowing in coal and tar, we even mark roads out of it.
5) source new bottle and cartons? Are they going to setup a complete production line first before having the bottles agreed by European regulations?
6) does setting up a production line of simple bottles take 2 years? They may be out of business by then.

A strange story

You could be correct in your interpretation of the email. I never read anything into it (I am a bit of a naive country boy)
But reading it again it does seem strange

[Caroline]

Well, I don't either, but I get the creeps as soon as licensing or patents are involved, then I suddenly start reading with a very suspicious attitude. Putting my alu-hat on.

[jiml]

Well, I don't either, but I get the creeps as soon as licensing or patents are involved, then I suddenly start reading with a very suspicious attitude. Putting my alu-hat on.

I'm glad you do it makes me think a bit more, rather than taking things at face value

[Fred]

Or you could read it a completely different way.

• The product no longer conforms to regulations as it's been found to contain something that is bad for you.
  
• We will have to spend to much money to make it conform and for the moment we will just feed you the usual response.
  
• We have to find a new supplier as the ones we were using refused to give us a cheaper price for something that is dirt cheap anyway, and we want to make huge profits.
  
• We are not greasing enough palms, and the big pharma's don't want something as simple as covering your body in carcinogenic.
  
• We need to have special containers as it will melt today's modern plastics.
  
• It's to smelly and no one uses it any more.
  
• Get a lump of coal heat it up to a liquid mix it with a bit of water, job done.
  

Sorry but things have moved on and it's had it's day.

[jiml]

Or you could read it a completely different way.

• The product no longer conforms to regulations as it's been found to contain something that is bad for you.
  
• We will have to spend to much money to make it conform and for the moment we will just feed you the usual response.
  
• We have to find a new supplier as the ones we were using refused to give us a cheaper price for something that is dirt cheap anyway, and we want to make huge profits.
  
• We are not greasing enough palms, and the big pharma's don't want something as simple as covering your body in carcinogenic.
  
• We need to have special containers as it will melt today's modern plastics.
  
• It's to smelly and no one uses it any more.
  
• Get a lump of coal heat it up to a liquid mix it with a bit of water, job done.
  

Sorry but things have moved on and it's had it's day.

I think I like Caroline's interpretation better

[Fred]

I think I like Caroline's interpretation better

You would, and she won't agree with me anyway.