An indigenously developed antibiotic, cefepime-enmetazobactam, has shown promising results in treating complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Indian patients. According to Dr. V Balaji, a renowned clinical microbiologist, this antibiotic has become a "blessing" for treating complex UTIs, offering both effectiveness and affordability.

Key highlights
New antibiotic for complicated UTIs

• Cefepime-enmetazobactam, developed in India, has been found highly effective in treating complicated UTIs.

• The antibiotic is the result of a breakthrough discovery by chemists in Chennai, marking India's first homegrown antibiotic for UTI treatment.

Affordable treatment
The drug has been released in India at one-tenth of the cost compared to foreign drugs, making it more accessible to Indian patients.

Impact on antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

• Doctors at the 13th Annual International Best of Brussels symposium emphasized that irrational antibiotic use and unchecked generic medicines contribute to the rise of AMR, particularly in complicated UTIs.

Concerns over AMR

• WHO reports that bacterial AMR is responsible for 12 lakh deaths annually, with E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae being the leading causes of complicated UTIs.

• Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections have a mortality rate of up to 54.3% in India, highlighting the urgent need for new antibiotics.

Experts urge cautious use of antibiotics
The symposium highlighted the importance of using antibiotics only with proper prescription and culture sensitivity protocols to tackle AMR and improve outcomes for patients with complicated UTIs.

The development of cefepime-enmetazobactam is a significant milestone in the fight against complicated UTIs and antimicrobial resistance. This breakthrough antibiotic not only offers an effective solution for patients but also demonstrates the potential of India’s pharmaceutical innovation.