Sir, I write further to correspondence in your columns on reducing virus transmission. Commencing on 17 March, we at Povidien have been working on a solution to the problem and have been in communication with many academic and clinical groups including S. J. Challacombe *et al.*, with whom we shared our ideas to urgently produce a ready to use povidone iodine solution for front-line healthcare workers. During discussions we highlighted some potential pitfalls in the use of the commercially available povidone iodine solutions, and I feel compelled to do the same here.

Following an intensive exploration regarding the use of Videne as a potential product, we came to the conclusion that it is preferential to completely avoid phenol, a component of Videne, as this represents an unnecessary risk. We have therefore produced a product in partnership with a Pharmacy Specials NHS manufacturer, which contains no excipients apart from water. This has reduced the product expiration to 28 days, however this will be extended in due course as the solution is self-preserving. We have followed the S. J. Challacombe *et al.* dosing protocols as accurately as possible (to standardise the dosing), and we anticipate the that the product will be available mid-May, initially in a 5L presentation, primarily for dentists, while a nasal and throat spray will follow in late May primarily for pre-procedural use in the hospital setting. While it cannot now be claimed that my position is unbiased, I can claim my intention from the start of this project was to find a low cost intervention to potentially break the link of patient to healthcare worker transmission. It has been very pleasing to have one\'s research intention and findings validated by S. J. Challacombe *et al.*, amongst others, and it is these validations that have motivated and enabled the speedy provision of ready to use povidone iodine for dentists and for pre-procedural applications in the hospital setting.
