PARLIAMENT QUESTION: DEVELOPMENT OF INDIGENOUS ANTIBIOTICS

PARLIAMENT QUESTION: DEVELOPMENT OF INDIGENOUS ANTIBIOTICS

Nafithromycin has been developed by the Wockhardt group. It is a novel macrolide specifically designed for the treatment of Community Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP). The phase III clinical study of Nafithromycin in India was supported in-part by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance council (BIRAC), a not-for-profit, Section 8, Public Sector Enterprise of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has issued marketing authorization permission for sale and distribution of Nafithromycin Tablets 400 mg, for the treatment of adults (≥18 years) with CABP, to M/s Wockhardt Limited.

The Government is supporting research &development and innovation to promote indigenous discovery and development of antibiotics through structured funding and ecosystem support. The Government support spans the research and development continuum from early-stage research& development, initial validation andcommercialization of products. Specific efforts are as follows:

Development of indigenous antibiotics will strengthen national capacity to combat AMR by improving the ability to treat hard to treat/ drug resistant infections, improve access to effective and affordable treatments, enhance self reliance and improve public health outcomes. This will also reinforce domestic research and manufacturing.