Gemifloxacin is a new fluoroquinolone, currently undergoing clinical evaluation. The compound has good activity against a range of common respiratory pathogens, especiallyStreptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzaeandMoraxella catarrhalis.At the 22nd International Congress of Chemotherapy held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in July this year, the findings of 2 poster presentations showed that gemifloxacin offered various advantages over clarithromycin for the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB). Gemifloxacin was shown to be more cost effective both from a healthcare system and a societal perspective and to have overall health outcome benefits. In addition, gemifloxacin produced a superior long-term clinical response in these patients.