Circular 31 May 2024: Restored supply of Benzathine Benzylpenicillin injection
Circular: Restored supply of benzathine benzylpenicillin injection The Primary Health (PHC), Adult Hospital and Paediatric Hospital Level Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) and Essential Medicine List (EML) currently recommend benzathine benzylpenicillin injection for various indications. Historical global shortages of benzathine benzylpenicillin led to the STGs being previously amended to
Circular: Restored supply of benzathine benzylpenicillin injection
The Primary Health (PHC), Adult Hospital and Paediatric Hospital Level Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) and Essential Medicine List (EML) currently recommend benzathine benzylpenicillin injection for various indications.
Historical global shortages of benzathine benzylpenicillin led to the STGs being previously amended to prioritise the limited supply of benzathine benzylpenicillin for the treatment of syphilis for pregnant women and children.
The contracted supplier, Ando Pharma (Pty) Ltd, has indicated that the supply of benzathine benzylpenicillin is currently adequate to meet the national demand for all recommended STG indications of benzathine benzylpenicillin. In light of the stabilised supply of benzathine benzylpenicillin injection, the recommendation included in the PHC Chapter 12: Sexually Transmitted Infections, restricting benzathine benzylpenicillin to only pregnant women and children for the treatment of syphilis has been removed. The full amendment will be reflected in the PHC 2024, 8th Edition.
Benzathine benzylpenicillin remains the STG recommended treatment of choice for primary, latent and secondary syphilis, and tonsillopharyngitis in children. If there is no benzathine benzylpenicillin available to treat syphilis in a pregnant woman, amoxicillin may be used as an alternative. Please refer to the relevant sections of the PHC, Adult Hospital and Paediatric Hospital Level STGs and EML for the comprehensive guidance on the management of other indications where benzathine benzylpenicillin injection is recommended, and apply the guidance as indicated in the STGs without restrictions.
Procurement of the benzathine benzylpenicillin injection
| NSN | Product | Supplier | Contract |
| 189708890 | Benzathine Benzylpenicillin 1.2 MU injection | Ando Pharma (Pty) Ltd | HP02-2023AI |
| 189700011 | Benzathine Benzylpenicillin 2.4 MU injection | Ando Pharma (Pty) Ltd | HP02-2023AI |
Circular dissemination
Province and Healthcare facilities are requested to distribute and communicate this information in the consultation with the Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committees for immediate implementation. Kindly share with all healthcare professionals and relevant stakeholders.
Stock queries
Contact: Ms Babalwa Melitafa
E-mail: Babalwa.Melitafa@health.gov.za
Clinical queries
Contact: Essential Drugs Programme
E-mail: SAEDP@health.gov.za
National Department of Health_Circular_Restored supply of benzathine benzylpenicillin injection_31 May 2024