Wyeth launches new antibiotic in UK

Wyeth has announced that Tygacil (tygecycline), the first in a new class of antibiotics, has been launched for use in the UK.

Licensed to treat a variety of complicated soft tissue and skin infections, as well as complicated intra-abdominal infections including appendicitis, Tygacil is the first in a class of antibiotics known as glycylcyclines.

Additionally, Tygacil has demonstrated resistance to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), as well as Escherichia coli and Klebsierra bacteria. Wyeth claims it is one of only a few antibiotics with the ability to overcome these infections.

Dr Robert Masterson, executive medical director and consultant microbiologist, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, stated: “Difficult to treat, antibiotic-resistant and often life threatening infections are a growing problem in the UK, costing the NHS an estimated additional ?1 billion annually.

“Add to this the diminishing development of new antibiotics in the last 20 years and we could soon see a return to the Florence Nightingale era where infections caused more death than bullets because there were no effective drugs to treat these diseases.”

“The introduction of tigecycline in the UK comes at absolutely the right time and will provide a vital new weapon in the fight against infection,” he added.

In 2004, a study by researchers from the University of Bath discovered that MRSA resistance to vancomycin – described as a “last resort” antibiotic – had developed in eight countries, including the UK.

The university’s Mark Enright, who was lead author of the study, said that some antibiotic combinations could still be effective, but that it is often a case of trial and error.

Last week, Wyeth announced that Prevenar, a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, will be included in the UK childhood immunisation programme from September 4th.

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