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Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences

[pib] India’s First Indigenous Antibiotic: Nafithromycin

Why in the News?

The Ministry of Science & Technology has launched Nafithromycin, India’s first indigenous antibiotic to combat drug-resistant infections.

About Nafithromycin:

Details
About • It was developed with the support of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a unit under the Department of Biotechnology, to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
• It aims to treat Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP) caused by drug-resistant bacteria.
( Awaiting final approval from CDSCO for manufacturing and public use.)
Features   Developed over 14 years of clinical trials in the U.S., Europe, and India.
10 times more effective than azithromycin. (3 doses to combat Drug-Resistant Pneumonia)
Minimal side effects, no significant drug interactions, and food-independent.
Significance   It targets both typical and atypical pathogens.
• It addresses a global health issue, especially CABP, contributing to over 2 million deaths annually.
• Offers a more effective, faster, and safer treatment for drug-resistant pneumonia.
• Demonstrates successful public-private collaboration between the government and Wockhardt Pharmaceuticals.
• A cost-effective solution for treating resistant infections in low-resource settings.

 

PYQ:

[2019] Which of the following are the reasons for the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens in India?

  1. Genetic predisposition of some people
  2. Taking incorrect doses of antibiotics to cure diseases
  3. Using antibiotics in livestock farming
  4. Multiple chronic diseases in some people

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 2, 3 and 4


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