One US-made drug treats congenital syphilis, and the country is running short

The U.S. faces a shortage of Bicillin L-A, the only first-line injectable penicillin for treating syphilis in pregnant women to prevent congenital syphilis, following a Pfizer recall due to contamination. The FDA estimates normal supplies won’t return until December 2027, forcing temporary reliance on imported Lentocilin from Portugal. The shortage risks worsening disparities in congenital syphilis rates, particularly affecting Indigenous and Black infants.