See the DrugPatentWatch profile for tigecycline

Tigecycline is an antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections, including complicated skin and intra-abdominal infections, community-acquired pneumonia, and diabetic foot infections [1]. However, the cost of tigecycline can be a barrier in certain scenarios.

One such scenario is in the treatment of hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia. A study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy found that tigecycline was not cost-effective compared to other antibiotics for these indications [2]. The high cost of tigecycline, combined with its lower clinical effectiveness, makes it a less attractive option for these types of infections.

Another scenario where tigecycline's cost can be a barrier is in resource-limited settings. Tigecycline is a relatively new antibiotic, and its patent protection extends until 2024 in the United States [3]. This means that generic versions of tigecycline are not yet available, and the cost of the drug remains high. In countries where healthcare resources are limited, the high cost of tigecycline can make it difficult for patients to access this important antibiotic.

Finally, tigecycline's cost can be a barrier in the treatment of infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. Tigecycline is often used as a last-line antibiotic for these types of infections, and its high cost can be a significant burden for patients and healthcare systems [4].

In summary, tigecycline's cost can be a barrier in several scenarios, including the treatment of hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia, resource-limited settings, and infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria.

Sources:

1. Tigecycline. Drugs.com. <https://www.drugs.com/tigecycline.html>.
2. Zhao, Y., Zhang, Y., Zhang, Y., & Wang, J. (2016). Cost-effectiveness of tigecycline for the treatment of hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia in China. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 71(11), 3273-3281.
3. Tigecycline (Tygacil) Patent Information. DrugPatentWatch.com. <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/tigecycline>.
4. Tigecycline. World Health Organization. <https://www.who.int/selection_medicines/committees/expert/20/applications/Tigecycline_2018_06_07.pdf>.