Items which should not routinely be prescribed in primary care - silk garments by all Sub-ICB Locations

Silk garments are typically prescribed for eczema or dermatitis.

These products are knitted, medical grade silk clothing that can be used as an adjunct to normal treatment for severe eczema and allergic skin conditions.

Four brands of knitted silk garments are currently listed as an appliance in part IX A in the NHS Drug Tariff and are relatively expensive. The PrescQIPP document on silk garments states that the evidence relating to their use is weak and is of low quality.

In addition, due to limited evidence supporting the efficacy of silk clothing for the relief of eczema, the NIHR HTA programme commissioned the CLOTHES trial, to examine whether adding silk garments to standard eczema care reduced eczema severity in children with moderate to severe eczema, compared to use of standard eczema treatment alone. The trial concluded that using silk garments for the management of eczema is unlikely to be cost-effective for the NHS.