01/21/2025    

INTERNATIONAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS

Re-classification of Phenol a Scandalous Waste: New Zealand Podiatrist

 

A legal intricacy around a commonly used solution to treat ingrown toenails has likely led to about $1.8 million annually in extra costs for patients, Podiatry NZ says. Podiatrist Mark Smith says the confirmation of phenol as a "medicine" rather than a medical device has caused increased delays and costs for patients, and more work for health professionals.

 

Mark Smith

 

For years, phenol was available as a “medical device” in New Zealand, meaning it could be supplied directly to podiatrists. However, in 2023, a query prompted Medsafe to confirm it as a “medicine”. This meant it now had to be subscribed by a medical doctor. “To have to explain this situation to patients every time I treat an ingrown toenail is just embarrassing,” Christchurch podiatrist Mark Smith said. Not only was it an inconvenience to patients, he said, it added wait-time and cost to getting treated, and was “a scandalous waste of general practitioners’ time”.

 

Source: Mariné Lourens, The Press [1/18/25]