The Lifesciences Magazine

  Infections are on the rise, and the preferred antibiotic treatment for syphilis cases is in short supply across the country. More than three dozen influential public health organisations are pleading with the White House to take action. In a letter to the White House Drug Shortage Task Force on Monday, the National Coalition of STD Directors and 38 other public health organisations described how clinics are having trouble placing orders for the standard syphilis drug Bicillin, an injectable form of the antibiotic penicillin, and that those who have been successful in doing so are receiving orders that are only partially filled or delayed. The letter requests that the White House task team prioritise the Bicillin shortage and cooperate with pharmaceutical company Pfizer to secure adequate supply. The letter states that “Bicillin L-A remains the preferred treatment for primary and secondary syphilis cases in adults, children, and infants, and the only approved treatment for syphili...