It was first developed and synthesized by the Croatian company Pliva, and was first launched in the former Yugoslavia by Sour Pliva in 1988
The original R&D company transferred global production and market development rights to Pfizer of the United States
In 1990, it was launched in the UK with the trade name "Zithromax"
In 1991, it was launched in the United States with the trade name "Zithromax"
In 1996, the oral dosage form was launched in China with the trade name "Zithromax" Named "Zithromax"
The patent for Zithromax expired in 2005
Injectable dosage forms were launched in China in 2005