{"id":15027,"date":"2026-06-26T19:34:55","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T19:34:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/?p=15027"},"modified":"2026-06-26T19:34:55","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T19:34:55","slug":"ddp-e-bulletin-june-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/2026\/06\/26\/ddp-e-bulletin-june-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"DDP E-bulletin: June 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Honoring Beth Marschak <\/h3>\n
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Most of our partners have now heard the sad news that our colleague and friend, Beth Marschak, passed away suddenly on June 3. A tribute to her legacy is located on our Facebook<\/a> and on our website<\/a>. Her absence is deeply and profoundly felt.<\/p>\n

In honor of her work starting and building the VDH Condom Distribution Program from the ground up, we are renaming the program, \u201cThe Beth Marschak Condom Program.\u201d We will continue to honor Beth\u2019s work and contributions to the communities of Virginia and the legacy she leaves behind each day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Bicillin Restrictions for Local Health Departments <\/h3>\n
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Benzathine penicillin G (Bicillin L-A\u00ae) is currently the only recommended treatment for syphilis during pregnancy. There is an ongoing shortage of this medicine in the United States. In the United States, the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)\u2011approved product is made by King Pharmaceuticals (a Pfizer company). This medication is still in shortage<\/a>. In April 2026, Pfizer announced<\/a> that the next shipment of both 1.2 million\u2011unit and 2.4 million\u2011unit prefilled syringes is scheduled for October 2026. They expect the full supply to be restored by Quarter 4 of 2027. This new timeline is one year later than what was first expected. The FDA website<\/a> will continue to share updates.<\/p>\n

The FDA is allowing the temporary importation of Lentocilin\u00a9<\/a> due to the ongoing limited availability and extended recovery<\/a> of\u202fBicillin\u00ae L-A. The National Network of STD Prevention Training Centers has posted information for health care providers on the administration of Lentocilin\u00a9.<\/a><\/p>\n

Until recently, health departments in Virginia had enough supply of Bicillin L-A\u00ae to treat all patients referred to their clinics. However, the shortage has lasted long enough that restrictions are now needed. As of May 31, 2026, health department clinics are using Bicillin L\u2011A\u00ae only for the following patients:<\/p>\n