Rising cases of syphilis have caused an increase in the penicillin required to treat it, leading to a supply shortage. The FDA has added a common form of the medicine to its shortage list: penicillin G benzathine, an antibiotic manufactured by Pfizer. According to the FDA, Pfizers supply is limited due to growing demand.

CDC stated that penicillin is the gold standard for treating syphilis and heals strep throat, which is expanding more than normal in the United States. Other antibiotics are used to treat strep. 

The agency also said that the prevalence of syphilis in the United States is at its highest since 1990, up 32% from the previous year in 2021. Other sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise as well. The condition caused at least 220 stillbirths and infant deaths in the United States in 2021. This is a 45% increase over 2020.

According to the World Health Organization, penicillin shortages are widespread worldwide. Because babies can contract syphilis before birth, the shortage is especially dangerous. Other antibiotics can be used to treat them, but not penicillin.

The FDA stated that the higher demand for the medicine is linked to increases in strep throat and syphilis and that Pfizer is the sole company that offers the drug in the United States.

Last month, a congressional committee held a hearing on drug shortages, which included various antibiotics and medications used to treat cancer and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder patients.

(Source: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/991360?src=)