Current issues regarding antibiotic resistance

The increasing development of bacterial resistance to antibiotic therapy is a major health problem and an ongoing concern in the healthcare community.^1,2 A need exists for rational treatment choices that minimize the likelihood of antibiotic resistance developing and preserving the usefulness of these important drugs.1 Rational antibiotic use includes safeguards that combat resistance, such as improving diagnostic certainty, ensuring appropriate antibiotic selection, improving patient compliance with convenient dosing regimens, and promoting adherence to treatment guidelines.^3,4,5,6,7

The development of novel compounds or new formulations of existing agents can also help to combat resistance.³ New formulations that reduce the number of doses taken each day improve patient convenience and compliance, therefore encouraging proper adherence to the treatment regimen.^3,4 In addition, formulations that deliver the drug more efficiently allow a lower effective overall dose to be administered.^8,9 Such improvements in the formulations of existing drugs can help combat the development of resistance.³

MiddleBrook is committing to developing and commercializing innovative antibiotics that address these issues by providing products with a more convenient dosing regimen for improved patient compliance, and reducing overall daily dose compared to conventional antibiotic therapy.^3,4,8,10

1. Kardas P, Deveine S, Golembesky A, Roberts C. A systematic review and meta-analysis of misuse of antibiotic therapies in the community. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2005;26(2):106-113.
2. Albrich WC, Monnet DL, Harbarth S. Antibiotic selection pressure and resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes. Emerg Infect Dis. 2004;10:514-517
3. Kardas P. Patient compliance with antibiotic treatment for respiratory infections. J Antimicrobial Chemother. 2002;49(6):897-903.
4. Sclar DA, Tartaglione TA, Fine MJ. Overview of issues related to medical compliance with implications for the outpatient management of infectious disease. Infect Agents Dis. 1994;3(5):226-273.
5. Wong DM, Blumberg DA, Lowe LG. Guidelines for the use of antibiotics in acute upper respiratory tract infections. Am Fam Physician. 2006;74(6):956-966.
6. Acerra Jr. Pharyngitis. Available at: www.emedicine.com/emerg/TOPIC419.HTM. Accessed November 18, 2008.
7. American Academy of Family Physicians. Antibiotic resistance emerging as major public health problem. Available at: www.aafp.org/fpr/991000fr/8.html. Accessed July 14, 2008.
8. Data on file, Middlebrook Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
9. Archer GL, Polk RE. Treatment and prophylaxis of bacterial infections. In: Fauci AS, Braunwald E, Kasper DL, et al., eds. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Medical;2008:851-864.
10. MOXATAG™ Prescribing Information. Germantown, MD: Middlebrook Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; 2008.