June 16, 2023 – Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer says supplies of Bicillin, an injectable type of penicillin, will soon run out.
In a letter to customers posted on the FDA websitePfizer said Bicillin LA prefilled syringes for kids will likely run out by the tip of June and Bicillin CR syringes could run out as early because the third quarter of this yr.
Bicillin LA is used for the treatment of sore throats, tonsillitis and other bacterial infections.Bicillin CR is used to treat moderate to severe upper respiratory tract infections akin to scarlet fever and skin infections akin to erysipelas.
The shortage of the antibiotic is as a consequence of increased demand, an increase in syphilis infection rates and competitive shortages, Pfizer said. The company said stocks are expected to get well within the second and third quarters of 2024.
The variety of syphilis cases rose in 2021 to its highest level in greater than 70 years. CDC said in a report published last April. From 2020 to 2021, cases increased 32% to 176,713, the CDC said. That's the best total variety of syphilis cases within the U.S. since 1950.
Other drugs are in brief supply within the United States, including children’s medications and ADHD treatments, in line with to a report of the US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs in March.