Production of Penicillin
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《新英格兰医药杂志》
To the Editor: Regarding Dr. Lerner's history of the production of penicillin (Aug. 5 issue)1, rarely has the development of a medical therapy occasioned such dedication and excitement. Charles Fletcher commented that "it is difficult to convey the excitement of actually witnessing the amazing power of penicillin over infections for which there had previously been no effective treatment."2 World War II was a major impetus for the crash program of penicillin production.3 This partnership of drug companies and the U.S. government set aside commercialism, patents, and antitrust law to encourage the sharing of information and know-how. The initial companies involved were Lederle, Merck, and Squibb, as well as Pfizer. Merck's research director was the first to make a commitment to "proceed with the production [of penicillin] and to share information in so far as was legally permissible"4 and (with Squibb) to agree formally to collaborate (in February 1942). Pfizer joined the group in September 1942. The first patient was treated with industry-produced penicillin (from Merck) in March 1942.5 By the time production reached the levels required by the war, many companies had joined the effort. In June 1944, penicillin was available for all the Allied casualties at Normandy.
Peter V. Tishler, M.D.
Channing Laboratory
Boston, MA 02115
peter.tishler@channing.harvard.edu
References
Lerner PI. Producing penicillin. N Engl J Med 2004;351:524-524.[Full Text]
Fletcher C. First clinical use of penicillin. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1984;289:1721-1723.
Fulton JF. Medicine, warfare, and history. In: Smithsonian annual report, 1954. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution, 1955:427-41.
Richards AN. Production of penicillin in the United States (1941-1946). Nature 1964;201:441-445.
Tager M. John F. Fulton, coccidioidomycosis, and penicillin. Yale J Biol Med 1976;49:391-398.
Dr. Lerner replies: Dr. Tishler recounts another aspect of the production of penicillin in the "beginning," whereas Dr. Loewe in Brooklyn illustrated the dilemma of the desperate physician, eager to explore any avenue for his ill patient. Loewe's heroics would not be possible today.
Phillip I. Lerner, M.D.
University Hospitals of Cleveland
Cleveland, OH 44106-5083
Peter V. Tishler, M.D.
Channing Laboratory
Boston, MA 02115
peter.tishler@channing.harvard.edu
References
Lerner PI. Producing penicillin. N Engl J Med 2004;351:524-524.[Full Text]
Fletcher C. First clinical use of penicillin. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1984;289:1721-1723.
Fulton JF. Medicine, warfare, and history. In: Smithsonian annual report, 1954. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution, 1955:427-41.
Richards AN. Production of penicillin in the United States (1941-1946). Nature 1964;201:441-445.
Tager M. John F. Fulton, coccidioidomycosis, and penicillin. Yale J Biol Med 1976;49:391-398.
Dr. Lerner replies: Dr. Tishler recounts another aspect of the production of penicillin in the "beginning," whereas Dr. Loewe in Brooklyn illustrated the dilemma of the desperate physician, eager to explore any avenue for his ill patient. Loewe's heroics would not be possible today.
Phillip I. Lerner, M.D.
University Hospitals of Cleveland
Cleveland, OH 44106-5083