{"id":2867,"date":"2026-08-12T15:55:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T15:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/?page_id=2867"},"modified":"2026-08-13T14:46:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T14:46:07","slug":"update-on-bicillin-l-a-shortage-in-virginia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/clinician-letters\/update-on-bicillin-l-a-shortage-in-virginia\/","title":{"rendered":"Update on Bicillin L-A\u00ae Shortage in Virginia"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-2867\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-2867-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-2867-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-2867-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/134\/Commissioner_Letterhead.png\" alt=\"VDH Letterhead\" width=\"878\" height=\"319\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-2867-0-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW194446487 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW194446487 BCX8\">Update on <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW194446487 BCX8\">Bicillin<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW194446487 BCX8\">\u00a0L-A\u00ae Shortage in Virginia<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP Selected SCXW194446487 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:2,&quot;335551620&quot;:2}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>August 13, 2026<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dear Colleague,<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This letter provides updated information about the ongoing national\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/clinician-letters\/update-on-bicillin-shortage\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">shortage of Benzathine Penicillin G<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0(Bicillin\u00a0L-A\u00ae) and the availability of alternative medication to treat syphilis.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ongoing\u00a0Bicillin\u00a0L-A\u00ae Shortage and Impact to Virginians<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The recovery date for the ongoing national shortage of\u00a0Bicillin\u00a0L-A\u00ae\u00a0has been\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/nchhstp\/director-letters\/bicillin-update.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">extended to the fourth quarter of 2027<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Benzathine Penicillin G is the only recommended treatment for pregnant women and babies with congenital syphilis.\u00a0In response to the ongoing national shortage,\u00a0VDH\u00a0is\u00a0currently\u00a0prioritizing\u00a0select\u00a0groups of patients to receive\u00a0Bicillin\u00a0L-A\u00ae in local health department clinics to treat or prevent syphilis:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335551671&quot;:7,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"7\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Women of any age who are pregnant.\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335551671&quot;:7,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"7\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Women of reproductive age (15-44) regardless of pregnancy status.\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335551671&quot;:7,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"7\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Partners of pregnant women with syphilis.\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335551671&quot;:7,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"7\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Patients who\u00a0cannot take\u00a0doxycycline or are highly unlikely to\u202fcomply with\u202fan oral treatment regimen,\u00a0on a case-by-case basis, and as supply allows.\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">VDH may\u00a0consider\u00a0further\u00a0restricting\u00a0Bicillin\u00a0L-A\u00ae to only pregnant patients\u00a0in the future\u00a0if\u00a0required,\u00a0based on\u00a0forecasted need.\u00a0Providers should continue to\u00a0observe\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/sti\/php\/from-the-director\/2025-07-bicillin-recall.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to treat non-pregnant adults with alternative regimens.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">VDH\u00a0continues to\u00a0maintain\u00a0a small\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/redcap.vdh.virginia.gov\/redcap\/surveys\/?s=P33R8J3XDNYLEXFR\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">program\u00a0to deliver free injectable syphilis treatment<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to\u00a0providers who can administer treatment and who have\u00a0identified\u00a0syphilis in a pregnant woman or person allergic to doxycycline.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Alternative Syphilis Treatment Regimens<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Doxycycline\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Doxycycline can be used to treat non-pregnant adult patients diagnosed with or exposed to syphilis.\u00a0Based on\u00a0stage of infection, the recommended course of treatment with doxycycline is:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">100mg by mouth, twice daily for 14 days for early syphilis (one year of duration\u00a0or less)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">100mg by mouth, twice daily for 28 days for late latent or syphilis of unknown duration.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Please remind patients of the importance of taking all medication as prescribed. Reevaluation for\u00a0appropriate medication\u00a0and treatment duration for syphilis is necessary to ensure completion of treatment when poor adherence or intolerance is suspected.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Lentocilin\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Benzathine benzylpenicillin tetrahydrate (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessdata.fda.gov\/scripts\/drugshortages\/dsp_ActiveIngredientDetails.cfm?AI=Penicillin%20G%20Benzathine%20Injection&amp;st=c\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Lentocilin<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">) is a therapeutic equivalent of\u00a0Bicillin\u00a0L-A\u00ae which is being\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/media\/179787\/download\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">temporarily imported into the U.S.<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in response to the\u00a0shortage. The CDC has\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/courses.nnptc.org\/resource_detail.html?id=2718\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">shared guidance for the use of Lentocilin<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0which outlines key differences between the two drugs, and procedures\u00a0for use.\u00a0Lentocilin\u00a0is available for purchase through\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/business.costplusdrugs.com\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Cost Plus Drugs<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Other intramuscular formulations of penicillin (such as\u00a0Bicillin\u00a0C-R) are\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">not<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0acceptable alternatives for the treatment of syphilis.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Regardless of the antibiotic used,\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/std\/treatment-guidelines\/syphilis.htm\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">follow up clinically and serologically<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to ensure at least a fourfold decrease in non-treponemal (RPR) titer\u00a0occurs\u00a0within 12 months (in early syphilis) and within 24 months (in latent syphilis). Lack of response in the expected\u00a0timeframe, comorbidities such as HIV, and\/or increases in titers after treatment\u00a0may\u00a0require evaluation for reinfection, inadequate treatment and\/or neurosyphilis. Neurosyphilis can occur at any stage of syphilis.\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/std\/treatment-guidelines\/neurosyphilis.htm\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Patients who meet clinical criteria for neurosyphilis, ocular syphilis, or otic syphilis<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0should be treated with aqueous crystalline penicillin G, 18-24 million units per day, administered as 3-4 million units intravenously every four hours, or continuous infusion for 10-14 days.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Additional Recommendations for Syphilis Prevention<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335551671&quot;:7,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"11\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Screen all pregnant women for syphilis\u00a0at three points during pregnancy:\u00a0at first prenatal visit, in the early third trimester (28-32 weeks), and at delivery.\u00a0\u00a0Additional\u00a0screening may be necessary\u00a0if\u00a0clinical presentation and\/or history\u00a0suggest\u00a0a concern for reinfection.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335551671&quot;:7,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"11\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Screen all sexually active people\u00a0aged 15-44 years\u00a0residing\u00a0in\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/220\/Acc.-Final-2024-Virginia-Syphilis-Screening-Guidelines-by-County-and-City-Accessible.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">cities and counties with elevated rates of syphilis<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, regardless of reported risk behaviors.\u00a0\u00a0In 2024, 85% of the reproductive-age population of Virginia\u00a0resided\u00a0in an area with elevated rates of syphilis.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335551671&quot;:7,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"11\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Consider\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/nscss-considerations-for-the-implementation-of-syphilis-poc-tests.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">point-of-care (POC) syphilis testing<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in settings where immediate results can\u00a0expedite\u00a0treatment and reduce congenital syphilis risk. Positive\u00a0POC\u00a0results require\u00a0additional\u00a0testing and follow-up to confirm the preliminary rapid test result.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335551671&quot;:7,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"11\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Discuss doxy PEP with\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/doxypep\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">patients who it could benefit<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. A growing body of evidence has\u00a0demonstrated\u00a0significant reductions in syphilis in patients\u00a0taking doxy PEP as prescribed.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335551671&quot;:7,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"11\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Refer to\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/syphilis\/healthcare-providers\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">VDH\u2019s syphilis resource page<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and our prior\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/clinician-letters\/update-on-bicillin-shortage\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">healthcare provider letter from June 2025<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0for more information.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Any questions about syphilis in Virginia can be referred to Oana Vasiliu at <a href=\"mailto:oana.vasiliu@vdh.virginia.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">oana.vasiliu@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a>.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Thank you again for your continued partnership in STI prevention.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sincerely,\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[4050],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[3]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Cameron Webb, MD, JD<br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">State Health Commissioner<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[4050],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[3]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; Update on Bicillin\u00a0L-A\u00ae Shortage in Virginia\u00a0 August 13, 2026 Dear Colleague,\u00a0 This letter provides updated information about the ongoing national\u00a0shortage of Benzathine Penicillin G\u00a0(Bicillin\u00a0L-A\u00ae) and the availability of alternative medication to treat syphilis.\u00a0 Ongoing\u00a0Bicillin\u00a0L-A\u00ae Shortage and Impact to Virginians\u00a0 The recovery date for the ongoing national shortage of\u00a0Bicillin\u00a0L-A\u00ae\u00a0has been\u00a0extended to the fourth quarter of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":510,"featured_media":0,"parent":25,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2867","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Update on Bicillin L-A\u00ae Shortage in Virginia - Clinicians<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/clinician-letters\/update-on-bicillin-l-a-shortage-in-virginia\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Update on Bicillin L-A\u00ae Shortage in Virginia - Clinicians\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"&nbsp; Update on Bicillin\u00a0L-A\u00ae Shortage in Virginia\u00a0 August 13, 2026 Dear Colleague,\u00a0 This letter provides updated information about the ongoing national\u00a0shortage of Benzathine Penicillin G\u00a0(Bicillin\u00a0L-A\u00ae) and the availability of alternative medication to treat syphilis.\u00a0 Ongoing\u00a0Bicillin\u00a0L-A\u00ae Shortage and Impact to Virginians\u00a0 The recovery date for the ongoing national shortage of\u00a0Bicillin\u00a0L-A\u00ae\u00a0has been\u00a0extended to the fourth quarter of [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/clinician-letters\/update-on-bicillin-l-a-shortage-in-virginia\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Clinicians\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-13T14:46:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/134\/Commissioner_Letterhead.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/clinician-letters\\\/update-on-bicillin-l-a-shortage-in-virginia\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/clinician-letters\\\/update-on-bicillin-l-a-shortage-in-virginia\\\/\",\"name\":\"Update on Bicillin L-A\u00ae Shortage in Virginia - Clinicians\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/clinician-letters\\\/update-on-bicillin-l-a-shortage-in-virginia\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/clinician-letters\\\/update-on-bicillin-l-a-shortage-in-virginia\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/134\\\/Commissioner_Letterhead.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-12T15:55:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-13T14:46:07+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/clinician-letters\\\/update-on-bicillin-l-a-shortage-in-virginia\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/clinician-letters\\\/update-on-bicillin-l-a-shortage-in-virginia\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/clinician-letters\\\/update-on-bicillin-l-a-shortage-in-virginia\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/134\\\/Commissioner_Letterhead.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/134\\\/Commissioner_Letterhead.png\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/clinician-letters\\\/update-on-bicillin-l-a-shortage-in-virginia\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Clinician Letters\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/clinician-letters\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Update on Bicillin L-A\u00ae Shortage in Virginia\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/\",\"name\":\"Clinicians\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/clinicians\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Update on Bicillin L-A\u00ae Shortage in Virginia - Clinicians","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/clinician-letters\/update-on-bicillin-l-a-shortage-in-virginia\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Update on Bicillin L-A\u00ae Shortage in Virginia - Clinicians","og_description":"&nbsp; 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