Next-generation antibiotic Zavicefta can be prescribed

at general hospitals

It passed the DC at SMC, AMC, and St. Mary's Hospital, etc.

Expected to resolve infection problems such as carbapenem resistance

The new antibiotic drug Zabicefta is entering the prescription range of general hospitals.

 

According to related industries, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Korea's Zavicefta is being used in tertiary general hospitals such as SMC, Seoul St.

 

Mary's Hospital, Asan Medical Center in Seoul, and Sinchon Severance Hospital, as well as Gangnam Severance Hospital, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University Ansan Hospital, National Cancer Center, and Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital.

 

It has passed the Drug Committee (DC) of 39 medical institutions across the country.

 

Zavicefta was developed to respond to the urgent need for a new antibiotic for serious infections where drug resistance is a serious problem, such as multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative pathogens, and ESBL-producing enteric bacteria.

 

This drug is administered intravenously and is intended for adult patients suffering from clAI patients, cUTI, ventilator HAP, and aerobic Gram-negative infections with limited treatment options.

 

Zavicefta is a drug originally developed by AstraZeneca and was acquired by Pfizer through the acquisition of its antibiotics division in 2016.

 

Meanwhile, securing new treatment alternatives for carbapenems is a global health issue announced by the World Health Organization.

 

Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria are increasing worldwide and have recently become a serious problem in healthcare-related infections.

 

In particular, the World Health Organization has designated carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa as one of the highest-priority pathogens requiring research and development of new antibiotics.

 

The domestic Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistance rate to carbapenems was 30.6%, the second highest among the surveyed countries after Greece, and ESBL (extended-spectrum beta-lactamases)-producing enteric bacteria are also showing resistance to cephalosporin antibiotics, which are effective against a wide range of gram-negative bacteria.

 

Antibiotics currently available in Korea include MSD's antibacterial drug 'Zerbaxa' and Pfizer's antifungal drug Cresemba, but only Zerbaxa is covered.