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[Fosfomycin prescription during production shortage]
1Service des maladies infectieuses et tropicales, hôpital Raymond-Poincaré, AP-HP, université de Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, 104, boulevard Raymond-Poincaré, 92380 Garches, France.
Medecine Et Maladies Infectieuses
|June 14, 2008
Summary
During a 10-week fosfomycin shortage in France, analysis of 340 prescriptions revealed its critical role in treating infections like osteoarthritis and lung infections, especially against multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Microbiology
Context:
- A 10-week production crisis necessitated strict control of fosfomycin supply in metropolitan France.
- This unique situation provided an opportunity to assess the drug's clinical utility during a shortage.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the prescribing patterns and clinical necessity of fosfomycin during a supply shortage.
- To identify key indications and bacterial pathogens treated with fosfomycin.
Summary:
- 340 prescriptions were reviewed by an expert committee.
- Primary indications included osteoarthritis (27%), lung infections (21%), severe sepsis (12.5%), and urinary tract infections (11%).
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa (40%) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus were the main bacteria, often multidrug-resistant. Fosfomycin was deemed irreplaceable in 36% of cases.
Impact:
- Confirms and specifies the clinical importance of fosfomycin, particularly for multidrug-resistant infections.
- Highlights fosfomycin's irreplaceable role in specific patient populations and infection types.
- Provides unique data on antibiotic use during a real-world supply disruption.
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