AstraZeneca’s Zinforo recommended for use in Wales

AstraZeneca has announced that its skin infection therapy Zinforo has been recommended by the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group.

The drug is set to become available to NHS Wales patients for the treatment of complicated skin and soft tissue infections that are suspected to be caused by MRSA, mirroring the decision taken by the Scottish Medicines Consortium earlier this year.

Approved by the European Medicines Agency in September 2012, the ceftaroline fosamil-based product is the only cephalosporin monotherapy available in Europe with demonstrated clinical efficacy against MRSA.

This new ruling is important given that resistance to existing antibiotics is an increasing problem that can result in difficulty in treating infections, causing treatment failures and potential complications.

Dr Sam Shaw, head of oncology and infection at AstraZeneca UK, said: "This positive recommendation is an important step towards making new treatment options available to patients and prescribers in the fight against serious bacterial infections."

Last month, the company announced a new alliance with Fibrogen pertaining to the development of the kidney disease treatment FG-4592 in certain territories.