Syphilis Emergency Looms in the U.S. as Drugs Run Low
A severe shortage of penicillin, the recommended treatment for syphilis, has U.S. health officials considering a public health emergency declaration. Major medical centers are rationing the drug due to supply constraints, with some prioritizing pregnant patients and babies. The surge in syphilis cases has raised alarms, and the Department of Health and Human Services is forming a federal task force to address the crisis. The shortage is part of a broader trend of drug shortages, resulting from under-investment in manufacturing and unexpected changes in demand.
Pfizer, the only producer of penicillin G benzathine in the U.S., expects supply disruptions to continue until the second quarter of 2024. The shortage is particularly concerning as syphilis cases have been rising, with rates in 2021 being the highest since 1990. The disease disproportionately affects gay and bisexual men, and congenital syphilis cases are also on the rise. As a result of the shortage, the CDC is advising doctors to turn to alternative antibiotics, raising concerns about treatment adherence and effectiveness. The rise in sexually transmitted diseases and the diversion of public health resources during the COVID-19 pandemic have further compounded the syphilis crisis.
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