Merck Ditches Antibiotic Amid Growing Resistance Concerns

Merck has unexpectedly discontinued its antibiotic Recarbrio from the US market. This decision comes after seven years of approval, and despite being a treatment of last resort for serious infections such as pneumonia and complicated urinary tract and stomach infections in patients with limited or no alternative treatment options.

The company did not provide an explanation for this move, but it is a concern for public health given the increasing issue of antibiotic resistance. The FDA initially pegged Recarbrio as a last-resort treatment to mitigate this very problem, although this also limits its market and sales potential.

Merck did not disclose the sales figures for Recarbrio in its regulatory filings, making it unclear what drove this decision. This move raises questions about the commitment of large pharmaceutical companies to addressing antibiotic resistance.