Context
In the relentless battle against highly drug resistant infections, a team of doctors recently witnessed a glimmer of hope amid the challenges they faced. An Indian innovation was made to deal with drug resistant pathogens.
Promising Antibiotics
- An Indian Innovation: A promising antibiotic, cefepime/zidebactam, developed by Indian researchers, combines two active components to combat drug-resistant gram-negative pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Made by Japan: Ceffederocol, a licenced antibiotic in several countries, developed by a Japanese company, has demonstrated excellent efficacy against drug resistant infections.
- Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA): This extraordinary case underscores the urgent importance of granting EUA for antibiotics currently in phase 3 trials or licensed from other countries.
- Limited effective choices- Doctors must navigate through a shrinking arsenal of effective antibiotics, leaving them with limited choices.
- Side effects– Often resorting to suboptimal treatments that may have significant side effects or offer little hope of a cure.
- Pressure build-up- The constant race against time, trying to stay one step ahead of the mutating bacteria, adds to the immense pressure and helplessness experienced by doctors on the front lines.
- Commitment- India, a nation that has demonstrated remarkable progress in granting EUA for COVID19 vaccines must show the same commitment in this field.
- Thoroughly Evaluated- We need antibiotics that have been thoroughly evaluated or proven to be effective are essential in the battle against superbugs.
- Doctor’s approval made mandatory- A collective decision by a team of experienced doctors, including infectious diseases experts should be made mandatory before utilizing these antibiotics.