European clinicians will soon have a new antibacterial for the fight against infection. The launch of sparfloxacin [Zagam®; Rhône-Poulenc Rorer, Dainippon] has been approved by the French Government and approval throughout Europe is expected shortly. Sparfloxacin is the first fluoroquinolone antibacterial with reliable activity againstallmajor pathogens associated with community-acquired respiratory tract infections. Data in support of this were presented at the 6th International Congress for Infectious Diseases [Prague, Czech Republic; April 1994].