title: Comparative in vitro study of the antimicrobial activities of different commercial antibiotic products of vancomycin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One of the most critical problems about antimicrobial therapy is the increasing resistance to antibiotics. Previous studies have shown that there is a direct relation between erroneous prescription, dosage, route, duration of the therapy and the antibiotics resistance. Other important point is the uncertainty about the quality of the prescribed medicines. Some physicians believe that generic drugs are not as effective as innovator ones, so it is very important to have evidence that shows that all commercialized drugs are suitable for therapeutic use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Microbial assays were used to establish the potency, the Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs), the Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBCs), the critical concentrations, and the production of spontaneous mutants that are resistant to vancomycin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The microbial assay was validated in order to determine the Vancomycin potency of the tasted samples. All the products showed that have potency values between 90 - 115% (USP requirement). The products behave similarly because the MICs, The MBCs, the critical concentrations, the critical concentrations ratios between standard and samples, and the production of spontaneous mutants don't have significant differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All products analyzed by microbiological tests, show that both trademarks and generics do not have statistical variability and the answer of antimicrobial activity Show also that they are pharmaceutical equivalents.
authors.affiliation: Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Farmacia, Laboratorio de Asesorías e Investigaciones en Microbiología, 472. Ciudad Universitaria. Carrera 30 Calle 45. A.A.14490. Bogotá D. C. Colombia.
authors.forename: Jorge A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.affiliation: Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Farmacia, Laboratorio de Asesorías e Investigaciones en Microbiología, 472. Ciudad Universitaria. Carrera 30 Calle 45. A.A.14490. Bogotá D. C. Colombia.
authors.forename: Edelberto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Vitalis Pharmaceutical, Proyectos Especiales, Carrera 7 No 156-80. Oficina No 1104. Bogotá D. C. Colombia.
authors.forename: Maria J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Arias
authors.affiliation: Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Farmacia, Laboratorio de Asesorías e Investigaciones en Microbiología, 472. Ciudad Universitaria. Carrera 30 Calle 45. A.A.14490. Bogotá D. C. Colombia.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garzón
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D016568:Drugs, Generic / Q000494:pharmacology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000494:pharmacology; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D016568:Drugs, Generic; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D014640:Vancomycin