BICILLIN L-A Injection (penicillin G benzathine) 2 mL Single Use Syringe - Shortage and Replacement with Australian Labelled Stock

During the temporary supply disruption of BICILLIN L-A (penicillin G benzathine) in Canada, Pfizer will be filling orders of the product with BICILLIN L-A, lot 72453, from Pfizer Australia. In light of this situation, Health Canada, per the conditions agreed upon by Pfizer Canada, facilitated the importation of Pfizer Australian labelled BICILLIN L-A, lot 72453. The Australian BICILLIN L-A is the same as Canadian product with respect to composition, packaging (syringes), specification and expiry period (shelf life). However, healthcare professionals need to be aware of the need to do dosage conversions when administering Australian BICILLIN L-A due to the difference in the expression of product strength as well as differences in the labelling of the syringe. The strength of the drug is expressed in "international units (I.U.)" in the Canadian BICILLIN L-A product label and in "mg" in the Australian BICILLIN product label (1.2 million I.U.= 900 mg).