The cost of treating community-acquired pneumonia may be reduced once sparfloxacin [Zagam®; Rhône-Poulenc Rorer, Dainippon] is introduced into general practice. the lower costs associated with the use of this new agent were indicated in a cost-effectiveness study presented at the 4th European Respiratory Society Annual Congress [Nice, France; October 1994]. The French data is of particular interest, as France recently became the first European country to launch sparfloxacin.