10 MILLION PEOPLE USE PLIVA'S ANTIBIOTIC SUMAMED

ZAGREB, Jan 2 (Hina) - At least ten million people throughout the world have tried at least one packet of the well-known antibiotic Sumamed (also called Zithromax), representatives of the leading Croatian pharmaceutical company "Pliva" have estimated. Since its discovery, a decade ago, the drug has become the leading antibiotic not only in central and east European markets, but also in the world market of orally-administered antibiotics, thanks to a licence agreement Pliva signed with Pfizer, an US pharmaceutical company. Sumamed is sold in 29 countries throughout the world and in all developed countries, except Japan, where its sale will begin this year. Sumamed (Zithromax) is the best-selling antibiotic for children in the United States. The medicine was registered in 1988 as Pliva's original antibiotic in Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Last year, the drug was registered in Croatia, Bosnia, Hungary and Slovakia, to treat Helicobacter pylori infections. It is soon to be registered in Slovenia as well. The drug will be tested to expand its scope of treatment (to arteriosclerosis and heart diseases). The advantages of Sumamed in comparison to other antibiotics are its clinical effectiveness, simple administering procedure and good tolerability. (hina) rml