Benzathine benzylpenicillin (Bicillin LA): Supply issue

Supply issue Active

There are delays at the factory where Bicillin LA (Pharmacode: 2258072) is made.

Affected product

Pharmac has been working closely with Health New Zealand to prepare for an outage of Bicillin LA later in 2026. Bicillin LA is used in hospitals, sexual health clinics, and for the rheumatic fever programme. It is a vital antibiotic.

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

Alternative product

Benzetacil contains the same amount of active ingredient (900 mg benzathine benzylpenicillin (1.2 million units)) as Bicillin LA.

However, it comes as a powder for reconstitution and when reconstituted has a larger liquid volume (4.8ml vs 2.3 ml) than Bicillin LA. As such, we have asked hospitals and sexual health providers to use this alternative and prioritise Bicillin LA for people who need a lower injection volume.

Health New Zealand has identified the following priority groups:

  • Children aged 13 years and under
  • Young people with special needs
  • Children and adults who have already experienced a recurrence of rheumatic fever or who have severe RHD
  • Selected adults and young people, such as those with needle distress or post valve replacement surgery.

Priority access to Bicillin while Benzetacil for wider use | Health NZ guidance(external link)

About Benzetacil

The alternative is listed on the Schedule and HML. While the listing currently shows as section 29, Benzetacil received provisional Medsafe consent on 2 June 2026. We anticipate the Schedule will be updated from 1 July. Once it's updated, Benzetacil can be prescribed and dispensed as normal, including on standing order and PSO. 

Wholesalers can order Benzetacil from Orspec now.

Chemical: Benzathine benzylpenicillin

  • Presentation: Inj 900 mg (1.2 million units) in 2.3 ml syringe
  • Brand: Benzetacil
  • Pharmacode: 2470624
  • Subsidy: $43.24
  • Measure / Qty: per 1

Key differences between Benzetacil and Bicillin LA

Benzetacil contains the same amount of active ingredient (900 mg benzathine benzylpenicillin (1.2 million units)) as Bicillin LA.

Medsafe data

Bicillin LA (original brand)

  • comes as a prefilled syringe.
  • has a final volume of 2.4 ml
  • Pharmacode: 2258072

Medsafe datasheet for Bicillin LA [PDF](external link)

Benzetacil (alternative brand)

  • is a powder for injection
  • requires reconstitution
  • has a final volume of 4.8 ml
  • Pharmacode: 2711753

Medsafe datasheet for Benzetacil [PDF](external link)

Please reserve Bicillin LA for priority patients identified by Health NZ.

Expected resupply late 2026

The supplier expects Bicillin LA will be available again by late November 2026. 

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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