Abstract

Hetacillin (Versapen - Bristol) was marketed in Britain last February as ‘the newest most advanced bactericidal broad-spectrum antibiotic’.¹ The phrase described a possible alternative to ampicillin. After April Versapen suddenly ceased to be promoted and disappeared from the market in the UK. Many doctors who had seen the advertising wondered why. The drug seems worth discussing for this reason and also because it can still be prescribed in various other countries, including Eire.