India makes first indigenous antibiotic, consider it the 'father' of azithromycin

India has achieved a major breakthrough against drug-resistant infections. The country's first indigenous antibiotic 'Nafithromycin' has been launched.

India has achieved a major breakthrough against drug-resistant infections. The country's first indigenous antibiotic 'Nafithromycin' has been launched, which will soon be launched in the market by Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company Wockhardt under the brand name 'Miqnaf'.

Nafithromycin is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic, developed to fight drug-resistant bacteria. It is specifically designed to treat community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) in adults. Its specialty is that it is taken only once a day, for three days. This medicine remains in the lungs for a long time, making its effect fast and effective.

Drug-resistant pneumonia kills more than two million worldwide each year. India accounts for 23% of the total cases of pneumonia, where traditional medicines are no longer proving effective. Nafithromycin is designed to tackle this challenge.

This drug has been developed after 14 years of research and an investment of Rs 500 crore. Clinical trials of nafithromycin were conducted in India, America and Europe, in which this drug was found to be ten times more effective than azithromycin. Its clinical cure rate of up to 96.7%, minimal side effects and convenience of taking with or without food make it even more useful.

What do the experts say?

Doctors believe nafithromycin could revolutionise the treatment of drug-resistant infections. However, it is necessary to use it responsibly so that immunity does not develop in the future. Since it is a made-in-India drug, it will be affordable and easily available. Experts say that this antibiotic will bring relief to millions of patients who are not able to benefit from existing medicines. Doctors have advised to avoid its misuse and overuse. Naphthromycin will be used only when conventional medicines fail.