Speakers - 2025

Pooja Vaidya

  • Designation: Senior Medical Advisor, Alkem Laboratories Limited, Mumbai
  • Country: India
  • Title: Ceftriaxone in the Management of Community Acquired Pneumonia: A Multicenter, Retrospective, Real World Evidence Study

Biography

After completing MBBS and MD Pharmacology at Seth GS Medical College & KEM Hospital, Mumbai, my professional career began as a medical advisor with Ferring Pharmaceuticals. Being involved in pre-clinical and clinical studies during academics, I represented India in an ethics conference in Nagasaki, Japan. Thereafter, I gained experience as a scientific writer with Cactus Communications, Mumbai. I’ve worked as a medical monitor for several global clinical trials with IQVIA, India, as a part of the data science, safety, and regulatory team. Overall, >6 years of experience in various portfolios and therapy areas. Currently, I’m associated with the Medical Affairs department of Alkem Laboratories in Mumbai and handle the infectious diseases, gastroenterology, and gynecology therapy areas. 

Abstract

Introduction: Ceftriaxone has long been a cornerstone in the management of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), a major global health concern. However, real-world evidence on its effectiveness and safety in the Indian population remains limited. This study assessed the clinical effectiveness and safety of ceftriaxone in the treatment of CAP across diverse healthcare settings in India.

Methods: This multicenter, retrospective, real-world study analyzed medical records of patients with CAP who received ceftriaxone in both outpatient (OPD) and inpatient (IPD) settings. Data on patient demographics, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment details were collected at baseline and a follow-up visit. The primary efficacy endpoints included clinical and microbiological cure rates, while safety was evaluated based on adverse event monitoring.

Results: This study included 1,799 patients, with a mean age of 38.67 ± 17.6 years, of whom 70% were male. The largest proportion of patients (38.5%) belonged to the 18–40 age group, followed by 34% in the 41–60 age bracket. Among the total cohort, 1,150 individuals were treated with ceftriaxone as inpatients. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most commonly identified pathogen, followed by Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae. The majority of patients (56.67%) received an intravenous dose of 1 g ceftriaxone twice daily, with an average treatment duration of five days (46.8%). A clinical cure was achieved in 72.4% of cases, while 27.4% of patients experienced symptomatic relief. Adverse reactions were uncommon, with only four patients reporting mild side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and urinary disturbances.

Conclusion: This study reaffirms the efficacy and safety of ceftriaxone in treating CAP in India, demonstrating high clinical cure rates with minimal adverse effects. Its continued use remains valuable, particularly in resource-constrained settings where access to effective treatment options is essential.

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