Antibiotic launched to fight superbugs

A NEW drug offers hope for tackling the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.

Zavicefta is a combination of an already established antibiotic — ceftazidime — and avibactam, which works by blocking enzymes involved in bacterial resistance.

Recently launched in the UK and Germany, the drug is licensed for the treatment of complicated abdominal and urinary tract infections as well as some infections that do not respond to other drugs.

Trials showed it worked as well as other antibiotics on the market.

It is ‘ an important addition to the arsenal of antibiotics in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance’, says its maker, AstraZeneca.