CNN – Antibiotic Shortage for Syphilis Treatment Sparks Concern and Urgent Plea to White House
The preferred antibiotic treatment for syphilis is in short supply across the United States as infections soar, and more than three dozen leading public health groups are urging the White House to intervene.
The National Coalition of STD Directors and 38 other public health groups sent a letter to members of the White House Drug Shortage Task Force on Monday detailing how clinics are reporting trouble placing orders for the go-to syphilis drug Bicillin. Those clinics that have been able to place orders are receiving only partially filled or delayed orders.
The letter calls for the White House task force to prioritize the Bicillin shortfall and work with drugmaker Pfizer to ensure an adequate supply. Bicillin L-A is the preferred treatment for primary and secondary syphilis in adults, infants, and children, as well as the only approved treatment for syphilis in pregnant women.
“As the only manufacturer of penicillin G benzathine in the United States, Pfizer’s inability to provide adequate quantities of Bicillin L-A has left the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and many local and state health departments scrambling to ration existing supply of the drug and develop contingency plans,” the letter states. It is signed by organizations involved in public health, HIV, and maternal health.
The National Coalition of STD Directors confirmed on Tuesday that it has not received a reply from the White House or the task force.
A White House spokesperson stated that the Biden-Harris administration is focused on strengthening critical supply chains, including medical products like pharmaceuticals. The administration has issued executive orders to catalyze action in this regard.
Pfizer said it is in constant communication with the CDC and FDA regarding its supply of Bicillin. The company has increased its output by about 30% this year and aims to double output by the end of next year. However, it will take some time for the increased supply to be felt in the market.
The shortage of Bicillin has significant implications for public health. A 2017 shortage of the drug coincided with a significant increase in congenital syphilis cases, which have continued to worsen since then. From 2017 to 2021, reported cases of syphilis in the United States increased by about 74%, and cases of congenital syphilis increased by more than 203%. In 2021, cases of congenital syphilis were reported in nearly every state and reached a more than 27-year high.
“It’s devastating to see the dramatic rise in completely preventable congenital syphilis cases while clinics can’t get their hands on the basic antibiotic they need to save lives and prevent profound consequences for newborn babies,” said David C. Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors.
Pfizer previously acknowledged limited supplies of Bicillin in June and estimated that the issue may not be resolved until 2024.
State health departments across the country have issued health advisories and recommendations for alternative treatment options for syphilis patients due to the shortage.
The urgent plea from public health groups and the rising number of syphilis cases underscore the need for immediate action to address the shortage of Bicillin and ensure that clinics have access to the medication they need to combat this infectious disease. The government must work with Pfizer and other stakeholders to prevent future shortages and protect the health and well-being of individuals affected by syphilis.