Doctor and senior woman wearing facemasks during coronavirus and flu outbreak. Virus protection. COVID-2019..

A new antibiotic targeted at Clostridium difficile has won unanimous support from a government medical panel convened by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

C. difficile is a particular scourge among hospitals and long-term care facilities. The antibiotic, called DIFICID™ (fidaxomicin), is manufactured by Optimer Pharmaceuticals. If approved, DIFICID would be the only antibiotic besides vancomycin to be FDA-approved for the treatment of C. difficile. Research from the manufacturer reportedly showed it is better at preventing recurrences of the disease.