Cov kid invents MRSA miracle cream
Published: May 12, 2005
A ‘miracle’ cream invented by a former city man which combats the superbug MRSA has gone on sale at supermarkets - and demand for the product has seen it stripped from the shelves.
Brian Bennett originally invented the lotion in his garage so he could treat his wife’s dermatitis.
Now, following clinical trials at a Birmingham hospital, the cream has gone on sale in shops and looks set to be made available on the NHS in a few months time.
Mr Bennett visited the pharmacy at Asda in Walsgrave last Thursday (May 5) to talk to staff about his Pro Shield Ultra product.
The 66-year-old told The Observer it could make him a millionaire - although his real aim was to help the health service beat the hospital superbug.
“What’s important is to get the product out to the people who need it,” he said.
“It has been humbling to receive all the letters and testimonies I have got from people.”
The cream was first stocked in supermarkets in April and has been selling out as soon as it reaches the shelves.
Both hospital patients and visitors have bought the cream to prevent the spread of the deadly superbug.
Mr Bennett said 100,000 bottles were being manufactured each month to try and cope with demand.
Thirteen years ago he started developing the cream in his garage in Nuneaton, where he now lives.
Mr Bennett, a retired lorry driver who was born and brought up in Holmsdale Road, Foleshill, and later lived at Burnaby Road, Holbrooks, studied medical reference books and started experimenting with different ingredients until he came up with a formula which became the forerunner to the world’s first anti-MRSA cream.
The difference between his product and alcohol-based lotions currently used on hospital wards is that it keeps on working hours after application, even after hand washing.
It contains a barrier cream, a strong anti-bacterial agent and water repellent silicon.
His concoction cleared his wife Heather’s skin condition by killing the bacteria and acting as a ‘glove’ to keep the skin waterproof.
When Mr Bennett heard about the increasing cases of MRSA infecting patients in hospitals, he thought his lotion could give similar protection.
He took his idea to Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital where it was developed, and then found investors to help market it.
An appearance on Channel Four’s popular Richard & Judy Show followed - and demand for Mr Bennett’s cream went through the roof.
Minutes after going on air his website crashed after orders totalling £50,000 were received.
“My life has not been the same since,” he said. “I am now getting calls for it from all over the world.”
British supermarkets, led by Asda, started a stampede to put it on their shelves and demand for the cream has now started coming from as far a field as Asia, Australia and North America.
Mr Bennett added: “I am as busy now as I have ever been, but it’s a nice busy because I am helping people.”
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