FDA Allows Import of French Drug To Combat Bicillin L-A Shortage
Date postedFebruary 5, 2024
To help address the ongoing shortages of Bicillin L-A (penicillin G benzathine injectable suspension), the only drug that can be used to treat congenital syphilis, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved temporary importation of Extencilline (benzathine benzylpenicillin) from French manufacturers Laboratories Delbert and Provepharm. The dosing and pharmacology of Extencilline can be located here.
New Jersey-based Direct Success will be the sole U.S. distributor of imported Extencilline.
The product will not be eligible for discounted purchasing via the 340b Drug Pricing Program. Because of that and because the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has sufficient stocks of Bicillin-L-A to treat high-priority populations until the shortage subsides, MDHHS will not be procuring Extencilline for centralized distribution via local health department clinics.
Information related to treatment considerations during this Bicillin L-A shortage can be found here. Health care providers should reach out to Distribution@dsuccess.com or call 877-404-3338 for more information.