Global Security Newswire

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said this week it had approved generic forms of an antibiotic that could be used to treat anthrax infection (see GSN, April 21).

Twelve firms are now authorized to produce generic versions of the antibiotic Levaquin in tablet, liquid or injectable form. The drug can be used to treat adults for infection by inhalational anthrax, along with other bacterial infections affecting the bladder, kidneys, lungs, prostate, sinuses and skin, according to an FDA press release.

“Generic drugs are important options that allow greater access to health care for Americans,” Keith Webber, deputy head of the FDA Pharmaceutical Science Office, said in the release. “FDA-approved generic drugs must meet rigorous standards and are required to be of high quality so that people can be assured that their medications will act the same in the body as the brand-name product" (U.S. Food and Drug Administration release, June 20).