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Background The World Health Organization declared COVID-19, the disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. Non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing, handwashing, using hand sanitizer, and wearing facial masks are recommended as the first line of protection against COVID-19. Encouraging hand hygiene may be one of the most cost-effective means of reducing the global burden of disease. Methods This study uses a web-based questionnaire to evaluate the usage patterns and consumer perceptions of the effectiveness and health safety of bar soap, liquid hand soap, and hand sanitizer products before and after the spread of COVID-19. Results The results show that since the outbreak of COVID-19, the number of consumers who primarily use bar soap has decreased from 71.8 to 51.4%, the number of those who primarily use liquid hand soap has increased from 23.5 to 41.3%, and the number of those who use and carry hand sanitizer has increased. The frequency of use, duration of use, and amount used of all three products have increased significantly since the COVID-19 outbreak. Finally, consumer perception of the products’ preventive effect against COVID-19 is higher for liquid hand soap and hand sanitizer than it is for bar soap. Conclusions Because use of hand sanitizers has increased, public health guidelines must address the potential risks associated them. Our data also show that the public is abiding by the recommendations of the regulatory authorities. As handwashing has become important in preventing COVID-19 infections, the results of our study will support the development of better handwashing guidelines and a public health campaign.

Despite safety concerns associated with topiramate use, the pattern of adverse events and signal analysis of antiepileptic drugs remain elusive. We aimed to determine patient demographics and characteristics of reported AEs of topiramate and to detect the associated signals by comparing those of other antiepileptics. We used the Korea Institute of Drug Safety & Risk Management-Korea Adverse Event Reporting System Database (KIDS-KD) from 2010 to 2017 to determine patient demographics and characteristics of reported AEs for topiramate and other antiepileptics. The proportional reporting ratio, reporting odds ratio, and information component were used in signal detection. Signals were compared against drug labels in Korea, the UK, the EU, and the US. A total of 1300 adverse events cases of topiramate were reported, and the number of topiramate-adverse event pairs was 1861. For topiramate, the proportion of women of childbearing age (20-39 years) with adverse events was more than double that for other antiepileptics. A majority of the 36 detected signals were of neuropsychiatric disorders such as cognitive disorders, concentration impaired, amnesia, hypoaesthesia. Patients with topiramate-induced adverse events were likely to be young and female. Also, adverse events related to carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme showed specifically great disproportionalities. Rigorous clinical management is needed to ensure proper and safe use of topiramate. Special precautions should be taken when prescribing in women of childbearing age.

Background Recent tragic accidents due to the use of humidifier disinfectants have caused severe distrust and anxiety over chemicals in consumer products in Korea. Therefore, a survey was conducted to determine consumer opinions about the risk of everyday chemical products used in Korea to assess what information should be provided to consumers via risk communication systems. Results An online survey investigated the awareness of 10,000 Korean people regarding potentially harmful substances in consumer chemical products. Concern about the ingredients of chemical products was greatest for pesticides, air fresheners/deodorants, and cleaning agents. There was comparatively little concern about toiletries and personal care products. Respondents were aware of the presence of harmful substances from information on mass media and consumer/environmental organizations, and they also obtained information from ingredient lists and product packaging. Many participants thought that products made from natural materials and products with eco-friendly labeling did not contain harmful substances. Participants replied that they used potentially harmful products as little as possible to reduce the risk. Half of all respondents said that the manufacturers and retailers of products should take responsibility for reducing harmful substances in consumer products. Most respondents were not aware that they could make information disclosure requests for ingredients information. Conclusion There are numerous concerns about chemicals in consumer products, but many people still do not know exactly what risks they pose. There is a need to communicate information about the risks of chemicals using the media and methods that people can understand.

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