The continuing rise of resistance rates among bacteria today has led to the need for the development of new antibiotics with the ability to circumvent current resistance mechanisms. Daptomycin (Cubicin, Cubist Pharmaceuticals) is an injectable novel lipopeptide antibiotic shown to have excellent in vitro bactericidal activity against gram-positive organisms, including resistant isolates. First in the new class of lipopeptide antibiotics, daptomycin possesses a unique mechanism of action. Daptomycin was recently approved by FDA for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections caused by susceptible strains of specific gram-positive microorganisms. Daptomycin may offer an alternative in the treatment of gram-positive infections, especially when resistance is suspected.
Employers Face Barriers With Adopting Biosimilars
March 1st 2022Despite the promise of savings billions of dollars in the United States, adoption of biosimilars has been slow. A roundtable discussion among employers highlighted some of the barriers, including formulary design and drug pricing and rebates.