Comparison of Antimycotic Activity of Originator and Generics of Voriconazole and Anidulafungin against Clinical Isolates of <i>Candida albicans</i> and <i>Candida glabrata</i>

Background: Concerns have been expressed about the interchangeability of innovator and generic antifungals in their activity and chemical stability. Materials/methods: The activity of two different antimycotics was tested, each with one originator and two generics. For voriconazole, the originator V...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Alina Karoline Nussbaumer-Pröll, Sabine Eberl, René Welte, Tiziana Gasperetti, Jana Marx, Romuald Bellmann, Markus Zeitlinger
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-02-01
Series:Journal of Fungi
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/8/2/195
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Summary:Background: Concerns have been expressed about the interchangeability of innovator and generic antifungals in their activity and chemical stability. Materials/methods: The activity of two different antimycotics was tested, each with one originator and two generics. For voriconazole, the originator VFEND<sup>®</sup> (Pfizer) and the generics (Ratiopharm and Stada) were used for susceptibility testing (21 clinical isolates of <i>Candida albicans</i> (<i>C. albicans</i>); ATCC-90028 <i>C. albicans</i>) in RPMI growth media in compliance with the EUCAST criteria. Likewise, for anidulafungin, the originator ECALTA<sup>®</sup> (Pfizer) and the generics (Stada and Pharmore) were used for testing (20 clinical isolates of <i>Candida glabrata</i> (<i>C. glabrata</i>); ATCC-22019 <i>Candida parapsilosis</i> (<i>C. parapsilosis</i>)). Time Kill Curves (TKC) with concentrations above and below the respective MIC were performed for one strain for each antifungal. Stability testing of the antimycotics stored at 4 °C and at room temperature over 24 h was done, and samples were subsequently analyzed with HPLC. Results: MIC results showed no significant difference in activity of generic and innovator antimycotic in all settings, which was also confirmed by TKC. Stability testing revealed no differences between originator and generic drugs. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates the interchangeability of generic and originator antimycotic in-vitro, potentially leading to broader public acceptance for generic antimycotics.
ISSN:2309-608X