Limited Bicillin supplies: Use Benzetacil for people over 13
Published: 7 September 2026
Te Whatu Ora | Health NZ is asking health services to accelerate the transition from Bicillin L-A to Benzetacil as national Bicillin supplies remain limited. Current Bicillin stock needs to be prioritised for children aged 13 and under receiving regular rheumatic fever prophylaxis, with case-by-case exceptions where clinically necessary.
What practices need to do
Transition people over 13 years on the rheumatic fever programme to Benzetacil as soon as possible.
Use Benzetacil for syphilis treatment, through sexual health services.
Where clinical guidelines allow, consider oral treatment for eligible sore throat presentations to help conserve Bicillin supplies.
Order Benzetacil if your service has not already done so.
If you hold excess Bicillin, contact your supplier directly to arrange its return through the existing supply chain.
Te Whatu Ora | Health NZ has also developed information for patients and whānau, alongside guidance for staff administering Benzetacil. This latest update is from this Benzetacil Bicillin update: August 2026.