Anthrax Drug Sales Are Up!

Posting Date: 09/26/2001

Fear of bioterrorism has boosted the sales of antibiotics used to treat anthrax in New York. You know, I?m not surprised about this. We?re all a little edgy in this country right now after the attacks on the World Trade Center.

The drug is called Cipro and it is the drug of choice for the U.S. Military as the first line of offense against anthrax. It was used during the Gulf War. Anthrax is a highly contagious disease that is potentially fatal. It can cause bleeding blisters, breathing difficulties, shock and coma.

Cipro is also used to treat infections of the urinary and gastrointestinal systems as well as pneumonia and bronchitis.

One New York pharmacy reported selling 1000 Cipro tablets in three days. It usually sells about 300 tablets in a two- to three-week period. The tablets cost approximately $1 a tablet. Treatment to prevent anthrax is usually two tablets a day for 60 days.

The manufacturer, German drug-maker Bayer AG, says there is no shortage of Cipro in the United States.

Another drug, doxycycline, used for anthrax exposure, has also experienced increased sales. This drug is usually prescribed to prevent traveler?s diarrhea.

Experts feel that Cipro is the superior product because of its complicated chemical composition. Evidently, it would be harder to make anthrax that was resitant to Cipro.

Source: Reuters, September 26, 2001

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