FORMOSOL

Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry

Sunshine’s Formosol (The Formosol Chemical Company, formerly the Sunshine Chemical Company, Cleveland, Ohio) is claimed to contain 18 per cent. formaldehyd in a solution of soap. It is therefore very similar to Veroform Germicide which was deleted from New and Non­official Remedies because of the low phenol coefficient reported by the Hygienic Laboratory of the United States Public Health Service (The Journal, Nov. 22, 1913, p. 1920.) The Council voted that in view of the Hygienic Laboratory’s finding that formaldehyd has a low germicidal value, the manufacturers of Formosol be required to produce definite evidence of the degree of germicidal value for this product.

In submitting the preparation to the Council, it was claimed that Formosol had “all properties peculiar to Formaldehyde.” This conservative tone was, however, not maintained in the form-letters submitted. These contain the following unwarranted statements:

“As the name implies, FORMOSOL is a formaldehyde preparation, which embodies all the innate antiseptic merits and eliminates all the ill features of the world’s greatest disinfectant.”

“The elimination of all the destructive elements and the incorporation of all the established therapeutic virtues of formaldehyde, have been scientifically blended in FORMOSOL.”

“Formosol is unique in the sphere of antisepsis because of its peculiar healing properties as diametrically opposed to irritation to the tissue of mucous membrane.”

“Formosol may be used for the thousand niceties of modern antisepsis, but is specific in Gynecology and Obstetrics and is indicated in Dermatology.” [Italics not in original.]

“The constant use of FORMOSOL is to develop a habit sympathetic to ethics.”

“To prescribe FORMOSOL is a great step toward Personal Hygiene, a duty of the medical fraternity to the laity.” [Italics not in original.]

The trade package recommends the use of Formosol “for cuts, wounds, ulcers, abscesses ...” This is a conflict with Rule 4. The Council held Formosol in conflict with Rules 4 and 6, and advised the manufacturers that Formosol is refused admission to New and Non­official Remedies until they submit evidence establishing the degree of antiseptic and germicidal efficiency, and justify the quotations listed above; or until these and any other existing conflicts with the Rules have been removed.

After submission of this report to The Formosol Chemical Company the Council authorized its publication.—(From Reports of Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry, 1917, p. 145.)