It is now widely accepted that wound bioburden, in chronic wounds in particular, will often require control. This is best achieved by the use of appropriate topical agents, available in safe, sustained release, broadspectrum forms. The ancillary functions, if any, of a topical antimicrobial are becoming important health economic factors. Resistance and its development is also of great interest. The new Flaminal® products are novel formulations with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity which have the capacity to control exudate and promote rapid wound healing. These will be available on the Drug Tariff from October 2006.