TCP
- Thread starter Bakebeans
- Start date
"Disappearance of old standby
Trusted TCP Antiseptic withdrawn from market
March 06, 2006 Edition 1
Liz Clarke
TCP, with its very distinctive clean, no-nonsense antiseptic smell was one of those products that appeared to be immortal. It had an almost comforting air about it, like the soothing hand of a caring grandmother.
For more than half a century it has been a familiar resident in our medicine cabinets - a quick and effective remedy for everything from mosquito bites to sore throats.
But no more. The last bottles of TCP are by now probably used up and there's little chance of getting any more.
According to a spokesperson for Pfizer in South Africa, the rights to TCP have been sold to a Belgian company known as Omega Pharma for "strategic reasons".
Pietermaritzburg businessman Craig Davidson was so incensed by this sudden withdrawal of this popular over-the-counter medication that he
has decided to monitor the pharmaceutical business a lot more closely.
"What makes me so angry," he said, "is that thousands of poor people in this country rely on medicines like this for everyday illnesses, like sore throats, and as an affordable antiseptic. I think Pfizer should at least have informed the public that TCP's life was coming to an end, or even suggest-ed a generic."
Craig is so concerned about products that "suddenly disappear" or are sold to another company and undergo formulation changes that he plans to launch a forum where these matters "of public interest" can be aired.
"As South Africans we are far too complacent about consumer issues, particularly relating to our health and well being. We accept things as the norm when often public reaction is needed to keep the balance."
Neil Kistnasamy, call centre manager for Sparkport pharmacy chain, said that TCP had been an "extremely popular" and trusted brand.
"We have received plenty of enquiries from irate customers wanting to purchase TCP and asking why we don't stock it any more. We can't give them any reasons for the termination - quite honestly, we don't know."
A few years ago TCP was a front-runner in National Gargling Week and was seen as a safe and effective way of dealing with viral infections of the throat, particularly in cases where antibiotics were not recommended.
According to the indications on the bottle, TCP Antiseptic helps destroy bacteria and germs associated with common throat and mouth infections, acts on bacteria and germs, plus helps heal cuts, grazes, wounds, insect bites and burns on the skin.
TCP Antiseptic can be used for personal hygiene, as a vaginal douche. It can also be used as a general disinfectant wherever common germs are a danger to health around the home. TCP Antiseptic fights bad breath by acting on the odour-causing bacteria present in the mouth.
"Maybe it was too efficient," said Craig. "If you can sell a range of medicines to treat all these symptoms instead of one, it might make more sense financially, but not to the man in the street."
Each millilitre of TCP antiseptic contains: Chlorinated Phenols 6.0 mg; Phenol 1.75 mg; Iodinated Phenols 0.95 mg; Sodium Salicylate 0.5 mg which might be useful infor-mation for those interested in a generic alternative.
It is a disinfectant effective against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and has no known side-effects - except, of course, when you remove it from the market place."
Trusted TCP Antiseptic withdrawn from market
March 06, 2006 Edition 1
Liz Clarke
TCP, with its very distinctive clean, no-nonsense antiseptic smell was one of those products that appeared to be immortal. It had an almost comforting air about it, like the soothing hand of a caring grandmother.
For more than half a century it has been a familiar resident in our medicine cabinets - a quick and effective remedy for everything from mosquito bites to sore throats.
But no more. The last bottles of TCP are by now probably used up and there's little chance of getting any more.
According to a spokesperson for Pfizer in South Africa, the rights to TCP have been sold to a Belgian company known as Omega Pharma for "strategic reasons".
Pietermaritzburg businessman Craig Davidson was so incensed by this sudden withdrawal of this popular over-the-counter medication that he
has decided to monitor the pharmaceutical business a lot more closely.
"What makes me so angry," he said, "is that thousands of poor people in this country rely on medicines like this for everyday illnesses, like sore throats, and as an affordable antiseptic. I think Pfizer should at least have informed the public that TCP's life was coming to an end, or even suggest-ed a generic."
Craig is so concerned about products that "suddenly disappear" or are sold to another company and undergo formulation changes that he plans to launch a forum where these matters "of public interest" can be aired.
"As South Africans we are far too complacent about consumer issues, particularly relating to our health and well being. We accept things as the norm when often public reaction is needed to keep the balance."
Neil Kistnasamy, call centre manager for Sparkport pharmacy chain, said that TCP had been an "extremely popular" and trusted brand.
"We have received plenty of enquiries from irate customers wanting to purchase TCP and asking why we don't stock it any more. We can't give them any reasons for the termination - quite honestly, we don't know."
A few years ago TCP was a front-runner in National Gargling Week and was seen as a safe and effective way of dealing with viral infections of the throat, particularly in cases where antibiotics were not recommended.
According to the indications on the bottle, TCP Antiseptic helps destroy bacteria and germs associated with common throat and mouth infections, acts on bacteria and germs, plus helps heal cuts, grazes, wounds, insect bites and burns on the skin.
TCP Antiseptic can be used for personal hygiene, as a vaginal douche. It can also be used as a general disinfectant wherever common germs are a danger to health around the home. TCP Antiseptic fights bad breath by acting on the odour-causing bacteria present in the mouth.
"Maybe it was too efficient," said Craig. "If you can sell a range of medicines to treat all these symptoms instead of one, it might make more sense financially, but not to the man in the street."
Each millilitre of TCP antiseptic contains: Chlorinated Phenols 6.0 mg; Phenol 1.75 mg; Iodinated Phenols 0.95 mg; Sodium Salicylate 0.5 mg which might be useful infor-mation for those interested in a generic alternative.
It is a disinfectant effective against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and has no known side-effects - except, of course, when you remove it from the market place."
A month or two ago I saw the substitute which is for angling only on the shelf at Piet's Angling, Pretoria (012 379 1141). It looks and smells the same as the original TCP, it's called FCP if I recall correctly. The label states it to be for angling only and not for human use. I doubt whether Savlon or Dettol will work for angling as they smell and taste totally different whereas TCP was strong in smell but was actually sweet to the tongue.
Subzero01x
New member
Tcp is once again available on the market in SA and it is now know as 3CP.
You can visit their web site to locate a store near you at the following web address
http://www.phend.co.za/3CP/purchase.htm
Enjoy
You can visit their web site to locate a store near you at the following web address
http://www.phend.co.za/3CP/purchase.htm
Enjoy
armgesukkel
New member
yes i get it in UK and always take a few back with me i am flying again on 1 february 2014:woohoo
armgesukkel
New member
pm me if you are after it:SSS
armgesukkel
New member
:X yea my luck responded about 3 year late on this post:shock: