Pakistan's national drug regulator has officially approved the marketing of a generic version of the potent antibiotic Daptomycin, made by a Chinese drug maker, in a move that could provide a new, potentially more affordable option for treating severe, drug-resistant infections. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) granted the market approval for the injectable drug, manufactured by China-based Hainan Poly Pharm, the Chinese firm announced in a post, according to Gwadar Pro.

This development is significant for Pakistan, a country facing a severe public health crisis from antimicrobial resistance (AMR). According to a 2019 global study by The Lancet, drug-resistant infections are the third-leading cause of death in the country, directly attributable to over 59,000 deaths and associated with 221,300 others that year.

Daptomycin is a last-resort antibiotic used to treat complicated skin and bloodstream infections caused by pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, particularly its methicillin-resistant strain (MRSA). Its effectiveness against bacteria that have become immune to other treatments makes it a critical tool for clinicians. The original drug, marketed as Cubicin, was first developed by U.S.-based Cubist Pharmaceuticals and approved in 2003.

The introduction of generic versions is a standard step in the lifecycle of a drug after primary patents expire and is often associated with increased market competition and lower prices. The approval marks the second pharmaceutical product from Hainan Poly Pharma to be registered in Pakistan, and a third is under review in the country, the firm said in the announcement.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China