Urgent Action Needed Against Bicillin L-A Shortage Causing Surge in Congenital Syphilis
A coalition of 39 leading public health groups has called on the White House Drug Shortage Task Force to take immediate action against the ongoing shortage of Bicillin L-A. Bicillin L-A is the approved treatment for syphilis in pregnant women and the preferred treatment for syphilis in adults, infants, and children. The shortage has left clinics and states unable to access the drug, and Pfizer, the exclusive manufacturer, has stated that the shortage will not be resolved until mid-2024.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there has been a staggering 203% increase in cases of congenital syphilis between 2017 and 2021. Congenital syphilis is completely preventable when pregnant women receive an injection of Bicillin L-A. If left untreated, syphilis can lead to stillbirth or significant birth defects.
Jeremiah Johnson, executive director of PrEP4All, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the Bicillin-LA shortage is not just another drug shortage but a continuation of a pattern that has disrupted syphilis treatment in America for decades. Johnson urged the government to intervene to prevent a repeat of the surge in congenital syphilis cases witnessed in the past.
David C. Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors, expressed his dismay at the rise in preventable congenital syphilis cases while clinics struggle to obtain the basic antibiotic they need to save lives and prevent lifelong consequences for newborn babies. Harvey stressed the need for a comprehensive response to the syphilis epidemic that guarantees clinics immediate access to Bicillin L-A and prevents future shortages.
The coalition’s letter to the White House Drug Task Force has been signed by 39 of the nation’s leading public health, HIV, and maternal health organizations. It calls for prompt action to address the shortage and ensure the availability of Bicillin L-A to prevent further cases of congenital syphilis.
Bicillin is the only safe and effective antibiotic for treating pregnant women with syphilis. Unlike other antibiotics, Bicillin can pass to the fetus during pregnancy, providing treatment for syphilis in the unborn child. In 2021 alone, over 2,800 infants were born with congenital syphilis, marking a shocking increase of more than 200% in just five years.
The National Coalition of STD Directors, a national public health membership organization, represents health department STD directors, their support staff, and community-based partners across the United States. Its mission is to advance effective STD prevention programs and services nationwide.
PrEP4All, on the other hand, spearheads the fight for a National PrEP Program aimed at covering the costs of PrEP for the un- and under-insured. The organization is dedicated to addressing barriers that contribute to racial and gender disparities in PrEP utilization and advocating for equitable access to healthcare services and treatments.
It is crucial for the government to prioritize ending the Bicillin L-A shortage to save lives and prevent further cases of congenital syphilis. The coalition’s appeal reflects the urgent need for action to ensure the availability of this essential treatment and the well-being of pregnant women and their children. The impact of addressing the shortage promptly cannot be understated; lives depend on it.
