Pfizer issued a warning this week that an effective drug used for treating syphilis in pregnant patients and bacterial infections in children may run out by the end of June.
In a letter addressed to its customers in the United States on June 12, Pfizer, the sole manufacturer of Bicillin in Canada, stated that there is a limited supply and an “impending” shortage of the penicillin medication. Bicillin is the most effective antibiotic for treating syphilis in pregnant patients and common childhood infections like strep, ear infections, and pneumonia.
While the shortage is not currently impacting Canada, Pfizer Canada is closely monitoring the situation. Health Canada has not yet responded for comment.
What’s behind the looming shortage
The supply shortage is the result of a complex combination of factors, including a significant increase in demand due to rising syphilis infection rates, according to Pfizer. The supply of the pediatric version of the drug is expected to be exhausted by the end of this quarter. However, Pfizer has stated that the pediatric version is not widely used, as there are alternative antibiotics like amoxicillin.
The supply for the pediatric version will dwindle as Pfizer plans to prioritize the medication for adults, given its effectiveness in treating syphilis. Pfizer clarified that while there is a shortage of adult doses, they do not expect them to run out.
Pfizer expects the supply shortage to improve in the second and third quarters of 2024.
Cases of congenital syphilis, where the infection is passed on to babies during pregnancy, have increased in recent years in Canada, as reported by Health Canada. Babies with congenital syphilis are at a higher risk of low birth weight, bone malformations, and sensory difficulties, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Pregnancy syphilis is also the second-leading cause of stillbirth worldwide, as stated by WHO.
A temporary shortage of Bicillin occurred in Canada in 2016, attributed to production issues at Pfizer’s manufacturing plant. During the shortage, the Public Health Agency of Canada recommended conserving available stock of Bicillin and using alternative treatments when possible.
— with files from Reuters
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