Shortage of Benzathine Benzylpenicillin (Bicillin L-A)

The shortage of Bicillin L-A 1.2 million unit prefilled syringe for injection has been extended until 31 March 2027. Emergency supply is available from Pfizer Australia.

The shortage of Bicillin L-A 600,000 unit prefilled syringe for injection has been extended until 30 November 2027. No supply is available. 

Overseas-registered alternative benzathine benzylpenicillin products are approved for supply under section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.

Benzathine benzylpenicillin products should be prioritised for use in high-priority patient groups.

Non-Queensland Health sites are encouraged to review their stockholding and order section 19A products promptly to minimise disruption.

Queensland Health HHS pharmacy teams should refer to Central Pharmacy supply advice before taking action: Central Pharmacy manages the warehousing and distribution of pharmaceuticals to Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) across Queensland, including proactive supply issues management. 

Alternatives

The TGA has approved several overseas-registered alternatives under section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989: 

• Lentocilin (Portugal) S 1200 benzathine benzylpenicillin 1,200,000 IU/4 mL powder and solvent for suspension for injection is subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Call Neon Healthcare on (02) 7255 8455 to order this product.
• Brancaster Pharma (UK) benzylpenicillin benzathine 1.2 million IU powder for suspension for injection. Call Pro Pharmaceuticals Group on 1300 077 674 to order this product.
• Benzetacil (Spain) benzathine benzylpenicillin 1,200,000 IU powder and solvent for suspension for injection. Call Phero Pharma on 02 9420 9199 to order this product.

New Resource:
A new factsheet has been developed to provide Queensland staff with guidance on preparation and administration for Benzathine benzylpenicillin (BPG) products available in Australia.

Stay up to date:
Refer to the Medicine Shortages Database and the TGA website  

Contacts and support

Queensland Health RHD Program: strategic activities and initiatives for the prevention and management of RHD.

Queensland RHD Register: patient treatment and management updates including secondary prophylaxis, echocardiogram findings, treatment plans and patient movements.

RHD Clinical Nurse Consultants: education support and recommendations for the management of people living with ARF and RHD.