{
  "id": 10530570,
  "title": "STAT+: Merck discontinues a crucial antibiotic despite concerns over superbug resistance",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/stat-merck-discontinues-a-crucial-antibiotic-despite-concerns-over",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-28T20:45:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "STAT News",
    "slug": "stat-news",
    "url": "https://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2026/09/28/merck-discontinues-antibiotic-recarbrio-in-u-s-despite-superbug-concerns/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Merck has abruptly withdrawn an essential antibiotic from the U.S. market, raising questions about pharmaceutical giants' dedication to a sector vital for public health. The company is no longer supplying Recarbrio, an antibiotic approved seven years ago, used to treat severe infections in adults and children, such as hospital-acquired pneumonia, complex urinary tract infections, and stomach infections in patients with limited treatment alternatives. Merck has not disclosed the reasons behind its decision, but the Food and Drug Administration had earmarked the three-drug combination injection as a treatment of last resort to curb antibiotic resistance. However, this designation also diminishes its market potential. Merck has not provided sales figures for Recarbrio in its regulatory disclosures. Further details are available on STAT+.",
  "summary": "Merck discontinued Recarbio, an important antibiotic in the U.S., despite concerns over resistance to superbugs.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "STAT News",
        "title": "STAT+: Once described as obesity medicines for ‘patients,’ GLP-1s are increasingly lifestyle drugs for ‘customers’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/stat-once-described-as-obesity-medicines-for-patients-glp-1s-are",
        "published": "2026-09-28T08:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}