NICE Endorses Ear Drops to Reduce Antibiotic Use

The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended that the National Health Service (NHS) administer Renascience Pharma’s Otigo (phenazone/lidocaine hydrochloride) for treating ear infections instead of relying so heavily on antibiotics.

The anesthetic and analgesic ear drops are specifically recommended for use against acute ear infection as long as there is no ear drum perforation or discharge.

“The evidence shows antibiotics are not needed by most children and young people with middle ear infections,” said Paul Chrisp, director of NICE’s Center for Guidelines. “We must make sure the people who