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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Metanium ointment appeal for disabled teen on 'last tube' | |
| (21 days later) | |
| George Rabbett-Smith needs round the clock support following his suicide attempt in 2023 | George Rabbett-Smith needs round the clock support following his suicide attempt in 2023 |
| The family of a disabled teenager desperate to source a discontinued ointment said those selling it at inflated prices were "morally corrupt". | The family of a disabled teenager desperate to source a discontinued ointment said those selling it at inflated prices were "morally corrupt". |
| George Rabbett-Smith, from Bowes, County Durham, is minimally conscious after attempting to take his own life in 2023 when he was 17 and suffers with persistent pressure sores. | George Rabbett-Smith, from Bowes, County Durham, is minimally conscious after attempting to take his own life in 2023 when he was 17 and suffers with persistent pressure sores. |
| Metanium nappy rash ointment is the only product to have relieved his symptoms, his mother Hilary Rabbett said, but it was discontinued last year over supply issues. | Metanium nappy rash ointment is the only product to have relieved his symptoms, his mother Hilary Rabbett said, but it was discontinued last year over supply issues. |
| The family is now down to their last tube and Ms Rabbett has hit out at online sellers charging £30 for a product which had retailed for less than £6. | The family is now down to their last tube and Ms Rabbett has hit out at online sellers charging £30 for a product which had retailed for less than £6. |
| She said her 19-year-old son's spasticity meant his skin was particularly vulnerable to damage, including pressure and moisture sores. | She said her 19-year-old son's spasticity meant his skin was particularly vulnerable to damage, including pressure and moisture sores. |
| The family obtained Metanium on prescription after a range of other ointments proved unsatisfactory, but their supply is almost exhausted. | The family obtained Metanium on prescription after a range of other ointments proved unsatisfactory, but their supply is almost exhausted. |
| "There are others we can use, but they tend to be more oily," Mrs Rabbett said. | "There are others we can use, but they tend to be more oily," Mrs Rabbett said. |
| "They're not going to dry, they will lock in moisture damage and prevent more taking place, but they won't dry out any barrier damage already there. | "They're not going to dry, they will lock in moisture damage and prevent more taking place, but they won't dry out any barrier damage already there. |
| "Anyone who has a pressure sore knows they are very painful and uncomfortable. | "Anyone who has a pressure sore knows they are very painful and uncomfortable. |
| "For someone who can't express that pain and discomfort, as George can't, it is quite distressing." | "For someone who can't express that pain and discomfort, as George can't, it is quite distressing." |
| George spends more than 20 hours a day in bed as a result of the brain injuries he sustained | George spends more than 20 hours a day in bed as a result of the brain injuries he sustained |
| Criticising the online sellers, she added: "To play on someone's vulnerability by selling something at £30 a tube with a RRP of about £6 is morally corrupt. | Criticising the online sellers, she added: "To play on someone's vulnerability by selling something at £30 a tube with a RRP of about £6 is morally corrupt. |
| "But I guess times are hard and we all need to make money where we can." | "But I guess times are hard and we all need to make money where we can." |
| The in-demand ointment is now being sold at inflated prices via online selling sites | The in-demand ointment is now being sold at inflated prices via online selling sites |
| An alternative version of Metanium remains on the shelves, but the product used by George's family - which was designed to treat, rather than simply prevent nappy rash - contains the active pharmaceutical ingredient Titanium Salicylate. | An alternative version of Metanium remains on the shelves, but the product used by George's family - which was designed to treat, rather than simply prevent nappy rash - contains the active pharmaceutical ingredient Titanium Salicylate. |
| A petition to reinstate the product was signed by hundreds reliant on it to treat a variety of skin problems. | A petition to reinstate the product was signed by hundreds reliant on it to treat a variety of skin problems. |
| But manufacturers Thornton & Ross have no plans to bring it back, and no remaining stocks. | But manufacturers Thornton & Ross have no plans to bring it back, and no remaining stocks. |
| A spokeswoman said Titanium Salicylate could no longer be sourced "reliably or sustainably". | A spokeswoman said Titanium Salicylate could no longer be sourced "reliably or sustainably". |
| She said the decision to stop producing it was not taken lightly, adding: "We explored all avenues in our attempts to find an alternative sustainable and reliable source of the ingredient or suitable alternatives to the ingredient. | She said the decision to stop producing it was not taken lightly, adding: "We explored all avenues in our attempts to find an alternative sustainable and reliable source of the ingredient or suitable alternatives to the ingredient. |
| "Unfortunately, despite our strenuous efforts, we were unable to identify any other solution." | "Unfortunately, despite our strenuous efforts, we were unable to identify any other solution." |
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