Benzathine benzylpenicillin (Bicillin LA): Supply issue resolved

Affected product

Due to a Product Alert concerning this medicine, the stock was put under quarantine. This product has now been released from quarantine.

Pfizer has sent a Product Alert letter to pharmacies and Health NZ hospitals about this.  

• Chemical: Benzathine benzylpenicillin
• Presentation: Inj 900 mg (1.2 million units) in 2.3 ml syringe
• Brand: Bicillin LA
• Pharmacode: 2258072 
• Subsidy: $432.37
• Measure / Qty: per 10

Schedule listing for benzathine benzylpenicillin(external link)

Alternative listed 1 August 2025

To ensure people could continue to access this treatment, we listed an alternative from 1 August 2025. It was not approved by Medsafe and would have to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29 of the Medicines Act.  

This is a powder for injection and requires reconstitution. Once reconstituted, the final volume is 4.8 ml

• Chemical: Benzathine benzylpenicillin
• Presentation: Inj 900 mg (1.2 million units) vial
• Brand: Benzetacil
• Pharmacode: 2711753
• Pack size: 1
• Subsidy: $43.24

Section 29 applied. Wastage was not applied because it is a 1 vial pack. 

Information for pharmacists

• RxOne users: the new listings will be automatically updated by RxOne from the effective date.
• TONIQ users: the new listings will automatically be updated in Toniq medicine databases from the effective date.
• ScriptSense users: the listings will be automatically updated by ScriptSense from the effective date.
• The Online Schedule will be updated when the site is updated for 1 September 2025.

Please note that Health New Zealand Sector Operations Group will be able to process claims for August 2025 dispensing of the above listing.

Prescribing and supplying an unapproved medicine

Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981 allows for medicines that are not Medsafe approved to be prescribed and supplied to people. The medicine must be prescribed by someone registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand – such as, a doctor. 

We know supplying a medicine under section 29 is not ideal. In this case, however, this will allow patients to be able to access an appropriate treatment. 

We apologise for any inconvenience this causes. 

Advice for prescribing under section 29 – BPAC website(external link) 

Prescriber and pharmacist requirements for section 29 medicines – Medsafe website(external link)

Medsafe’s section 29 Declaration / Notification Form [DOC](external link)

What patients need to know about unapproved medicines – Healthify website(external link)

Pfizer has released the quarantined stock

Stock of Bicillin LA is available to order again. 

Who to contact

If you have questions about this issue, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz

Please include as much information as you can about the product (presentation, brand, pharmacode) and who your wholesaler is.

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