Australia is facing ongoing shortages of benzathine benzylpenicillin G (BPG), the critical treatment for syphilis and rheumatic heart disease (RHD), raising concerns over the country’s reliance on imported supplies.
According to The Medical Journal of Australia, fragmented global manufacturing and procurement issues have led to repeated stockouts, disproportionately affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
BPG is currently produced by only four global manufacturers, with most of the supply coming from China, as revealed in the article.
Australia has relied on Pfizer’s Bicillin-LA, but periodic shortages have disrupted treatment access for nearly two decades.
In response to the latest shortfall, which is expected to last until mid-2024, emergency approvals were secured for powdered formulations from the UK and France.
However, these alternatives require reconstitution, increasing injection volume and pain, potentially reducing adherence to treatment.
The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and health authorities have mobilized resources to mitigate the impact, but The Medical Journal of Australia warns that ongoing supply instability threatens Australia’s health targets.
Experts are calling for stronger governance in managing essential medicine shortages and exploring sovereign manufacturing options to ensure a stable supply.
With new pharmaceutical investments emerging in Western Australia, researchers also see potential in developing alternative delivery methods, such as subcutaneous injections, to improve treatment outcomes.
Strengthening local production, The Medical Journal of Australia suggests, could not only secure Australia’s medicine supply but also position the country as a leader in regional health security.
