On Mar. 23, 2020, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals announced a national initiative to support the treatment of patients with hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia associated with the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Pneumonia caused by secondary bacterial infections – such as a Gram-positive bacterial infection – is common among patients with viral respiratory infections. Furthermore, pneumonia was the leading cause of death in patients suffering from the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, which was prior to the use of antibiotics, according to a manuscript co-authored by Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the current director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Cumberland’s initiative includes the availability of special financial arrangements for hospitals and clinics to help ensure supply during this unprecedented healthcare crisis. In addition, Cumberland is sponsoring a national program with infectious disease experts to provide information on the management of complicated respiratory infections resulting from the novel coronavirus.

Cumberland manufactures the potent antibiotic VIBATIV^® (telavancin) injection, designed to treat serious infections due to Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and other Gram-positive bacteria, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA).

The special financial arrangements being offered by Cumberland include extended payment terms for all direct account purchases of its VIBATIV antibiotic. This program is designed to provide health care facilities the flexibility to weather the uncertain economic environment, while still providing the potent antibiotic treatment patients need. Cumberland has a stable and sufficient supply of VIBATIV to support not only the current demand, but also the potential increased demand due to shortages of other antibiotics, such as vancomycin and daptomycin.