Breakthrough hailed as ‘crucial’ UTI drug gets green light for NHS use
New UTI drug approved after almost three decades
- Gepotidacin, also known as Blujepa, has been approved for NHS use in the UK to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
- This marks the first new type of oral antibiotic for UTIs to be approved in nearly three decades, offering a new option for women over 12 with recurring infections.
- The drug works by blocking bacterial enzymes, preventing replication, and its targeted mechanism makes it more difficult for bacteria to develop resistance.
- Clinical trials indicate that gepotidacin is as effective as nitrofurantoin, the current frontline antibiotic for uncomplicated UTIs.
- Before widespread NHS prescription, the drug's cost-effectiveness will be evaluated by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.