Telithromycin is a ketolide antibacterial agent with a mode of action similar to that of the related macrolides. Its spectrum of antibacterial activity, like that of clarithromycin, is well suited for use in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), as it is active against most common causative bacterial pathogens, including atypical and intracellular species. In addition, it retains activity against a number of strains of bacteria resistant to conventional macrolides. It has advantageous pharmacokinetic properties, only requiring once-daily dosing. CAP is a common and widespread disease which carries a high economic burden of treating both inpatients and outpatients. A study comparing the economic effect of treatment with telithromycin with that of clarithromycin in adult patients with confirmed mild-to-moderate acute CAP was presented at the 13th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases [Glasgow, Scotland; May 2003].1The results showed that the overall healthcare costs associated with telithromycin were lower than those associated with clarithromycin.