logo
A new recall of injected penicillin may put gains against syphilis in peril

A new recall of injected penicillin may put gains against syphilis in peril

CNN7 days ago
Drugmaker Pfizer is warning doctors that it expects to run low on supplies of Bicillin L-A, a long-acting injection of the antibiotic penicillin, the preferred option for treating syphilis during pregnancy.
The news – the latest twist in a drug shortage that began in 2023 – follows a July 10 recall of certain lots of Bicillin L-A that were found to be contaminated with floating particles. Pfizer says it has not received any reports of adverse events related to the recalled shots.
'We have identified the root cause to be associated with stoppers supplied from an external vendor and are implementing the appropriate corrective and preventative actions,' the company said in a statement, adding that it places the utmost emphasis on patient safety. 'We fully recognize the importance of this medicine for patients and are working as quickly as possible to resolve the matter.'
Benzathine penicillin G, sold as Bicillin, is used to treat a number of common bacterial infections, such as strep throat, in adults and children. Because one shot can last up to two weeks, it's especially helpful for people who can't swallow pills or may not be able to remember to take them. In most cases, however, if the shots aren't available, doctors can turn to alternatives like the antibiotic doxycycline.
But benzathine penicillin G is the only product that's approved and recommended to treat the sexually transmitted infection syphilis during pregnancy. If the infection is caught early, a single injection can keep the infection from spreading to a newborn, a condition called congenital syphilis.
Without treatment, syphilis during pregnancy can cause miscarriages and stillbirths. It can also be fatal for infants. Syphilis can also cause vision and hearing problems in babies as well as deformities of the bones and teeth.
As rates of syphilis rose in adults, more babies became infected, too. Over the past decade, rates of congenital syphilis have increased tenfold in the United States, from 335 in 2012 to more than 3,800 in 2023, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
'We're in the midst of a congenital syphilis crisis, and we've been calling for an emergency declaration for congenital syphilis for years,' said Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, a professor of clinical population and public health sciences at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine. 'This threatens to make that even worse.'
The shot has been a key part of the strategy that some states have been using to quell rising rates of congenital syphilis.
Because too many pregnant patients infected with syphilis weren't making it into basic primary care, there's been a push in states including New Mexico and Minnesota to test all pregnant women for syphilis at multiple stages of pregnancy and whenever they show up in emergency rooms or urgent care clinics.
After an initial positive test, providers are encouraged to treat a pregnant patient with a shot of long-acting penicillin at the same visit, without waiting for the results of a second confirmatory test.
This push for one-stop testing and treatment has already had an effect.
'With the latest release of data, we saw a slowing of rates, which was really exciting,' said a CDC official familiar with the data who asked not to be named because they weren't authorized to speak to the media. That progress is the result of hard work bringing awareness to controlling syphilis and congenital syphilis, the official said.
Bicillin L-A most recently went into shortage in 2023. During that time, the US Food and Drug Administration has allowed imports of two equivalent products, a French drug called Extencilline, and Lentocilin, which is imported from Portugal and sold by entrepreneur Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs. These imports continue to be authorized.
Those forms of the medication are trickier to use, said Erin Fox, associate chief pharmacy officer at the University of Utah Health.
'In a health system, it's very hard to use imported products,' she said. The bar coding on the drugs isn't recognized by most hospital systems, and there may be differences in how the products are mixed and diluted, which can be confusing.
Her hospital has been handling the shortage by being judicious about who gets Bicillin shots. It hasn't had to use an imported products yet.
Pfizer has also been working to boost its supply. The company stopped shipping pediatric doses in 2023 and instead focused on making adult doses to prioritize supply for pregnant patients. According to the FDA's drug shortage website, Pfizer expected to have a delivery of pediatric doses available in October.
Now, the company has advised customers that it will give an update on the Bicillin supply no later than mid-August. Until stock has fully recovered, Pfizer said, it will ration available supplies of the shots. Providers will have to fill out medical request forms, and the company will send supplies on a per-patient basis.
Sterile injectable products like Bicillin are especially vulnerable to shortages because they have a more complex manufacturing process than pills and tend to be prone to quality control issues. In this case, Pfizer is the sole supplier of Bicillin for the US.
The nonprofit National Coalition of STD Directors said it's gathering information from members to understand how far-reaching the impact of the recall may be.
One of its committees met Monday, and all of the participants were in the process of returning Bicillin doses to Pfizer. One state returned about 800 vials, 'so we expect to hear this is widespread,' said Elizabeth Finley, senior director of communications and programs for the organization.
'We had a small reprieve for about, maybe a year, in terms of steady supply. And now this is just a complete kick in the teeth and really threatens our ability to prevent and control syphilis,' Klausner said.
The CDC had previously posted recommendations for caring for syphilis patients during the shortage, but that information has since been taken down. Fox, who investigates drug shortages for the Association of Health Systems Pharmacists, said she has asked the agency to repost it but hasn't received a response.
CDC staffers who work on syphilis control were hit hard by recent government layoffs, although about 200 were reinstated in June. Federal funding cuts have also hampered state and local efforts to control sexually transmitted infections.
The FDA updated its drug shortage page with links to Pfizer's recent guidance but has not posted Pfizer's recall announcement.
A spokesperson for the US Department of Health and Human services referred questions about the recall and potential supply problems to Pfizer.
'I am concerned though that now, with a cut in funds to national and local STD programs, that we will start to see a drop in testing for syphilis,' the CDC official said. 'Cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, as well as other programs, will be devastating for syphilis control.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

2 Undervalued Healthcare Stocks Poised to Dominate the Next Decade
2 Undervalued Healthcare Stocks Poised to Dominate the Next Decade

Yahoo

time2 days ago

  • Yahoo

2 Undervalued Healthcare Stocks Poised to Dominate the Next Decade

Key Points Pfizer and Novo Nordisk have underperformed the market over the past year. But both should remain major players in important areas within the pharma industry. Investors could see the two drugmakers' shares beat the market over the next decade. 10 stocks we like better than Pfizer › Pharmaceutical giants Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) have lagged the market over the past year, although Pfizer's poor performance dates back much further. Though these companies have encountered challenges, there are good reasons to be bullish on their long-term prospects. Pfizer could become an even bigger player in the oncology market (the largest therapeutic area in the industry by sales) over the next decade, while Novo Nordisk will be a major player in diabetes and the fast-growing weight management space. Both could produce excellent results along the way. Here's the rundown. 1. Pfizer Pfizer's financial results haven't been great in recent years. To make matters worse, the company will face important patent cliffs by the end of the decade. One of them will be for Eliquis, an anticoagulant that is still one of its best-selling medicines. However, Pfizer has prepared for that eventuality. The company made several acquisitions and licensing deals that significantly boosted its pipeline, especially in oncology. Pfizer spent $43 billion to acquire Seagen, a smaller cancer specialist whose lineup and pipeline were impressive for a company of its size. With the financial and strategic backing of the larger company, it should yield even more key approvals in the field in the coming years. Pfizer also recently made an up-front payment of $1.25 billion to China-based 3SBio for the rights to SSGJ-707, an investigational bispecific antibody, a portion of the oncology market that's gaining traction these days. 3SBio will be eligible for commercial and regulatory milestone payments of up to $4.8 billion, not including royalties. These moves should eventually pay off for Pfizer and strengthen its position in oncology. The drugmaker plans to have eight blockbuster cancer medicines on the market by 2030, up from its current five, while doubling its reach from the current 1 million patients it serves. Of course, Pfizer isn't just a cancer play. The company's extensive pipeline should enable it to launch products in other areas and ultimately get back on track. While its shares have been lagging the market significantly, that could change in the next decade as financial results rebound thanks to its innovative efforts. Pfizer's shares look especially attractive when considering its valuation. Its forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 8.7, much lower than the healthcare sector's 15.8. From their current levels, Pfizer's shares could go on to generate excellent returns through 2035. 2. Novo Nordisk Novo Nordisk pioneered the market for weight management medicines. However, Eli Lilly seems to have taken the lead in that field, at least for now. Novo Nordisk has faced some clinical setbacks, leading to a poor performance over the trailing-12-month period. Can the company rebound and perform well in the next decade? In my view, it can, and the market may be significantly undervaluing its potential. Its sales of Wegovy, one of the top-selling anti-obesity medications, continue to grow rapidly. Novo Nordisk recently requested approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for oral semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy). That's good for patients who want a non-injected option, and helps counter Lilly's up-and-coming oral GLP-1 medicine, orforglipron. Elsewhere, Novo Nordisk recently started phase 3 studies for amycretin, a next-gen weight loss candidate. Amycretin is being investigated in both oral and subcutaneous formulations, and both are currently in late-stage clinical trials. The company also enhanced its pipeline through licensing deals, including one with United Biotechnology, a subsidiary of the China-based company United Laboratories International Holdings, for UBT251. This potential anti-obesity medicine mimics the actions of three gut hormones: GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon. The transaction cost Novo Nordisk an up-front payment of $200 million and up to $1.8 billion in milestone payments. Thanks to all these developments, Novo Nordisk should remain a leader in weight management in the next decade. Even though competition is mounting, no drugmaker not named Eli Lilly has a lineup or a pipeline as deep as Novo Nordisk's. Furthermore, the Denmark-based pharmaceutical leader will also continue to dominate the diabetes market, as it has done for decades. Novo Nordisk generates consistent revenue and earnings that typically grow faster than those of similarly-sized peers. Yet the stock's forward P/E is 16.7, which is slightly above the industry average. In my view, that's a bargain for a company that generates better-than-average results and has a deep pipeline in a fast-growing area -- not to mention two of the world's top 20 best-selling drugs, in Wegovy and Ozempic. For investors willing to stay the course, Novo Nordisk's future still looks incredibly bright. Should you invest $1,000 in Pfizer right now? Before you buy stock in Pfizer, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Pfizer wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $652,133!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,056,790!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,048% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 180% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 15, 2025 Prosper Junior Bakiny has positions in Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Pfizer. The Motley Fool recommends Novo Nordisk. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 2 Undervalued Healthcare Stocks Poised to Dominate the Next Decade was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

The Midults: My wife sleeps in the spare room more and more
The Midults: My wife sleeps in the spare room more and more

Yahoo

time3 days ago

  • Yahoo

The Midults: My wife sleeps in the spare room more and more

Dear A&E, My wife has started sleeping in the spare room more and more and I'm a bit concerned. We've only been married for a year and are in our early 30s. And I don't really snore, unless I've been drinking. I am worried that we are already drifting apart, and the separate bedrooms are just the beginning. Our sex life is great but I want all of her. Love, – Uneasy Dear Uneasy, We are obsessed with sleep. We talk about sleep like we used to talk about sex: how much are you getting? How long does it last? Was it good? Sleeping seven to nine hours a night is the holy grail; a key factor in positive mental health, physical health, all the healths. We pathologise it, we catastrophise about it, because, like sex, we're mostly not getting enough. We are tired all the time and we worry about being tired all the time, which means we don't sleep; an unvirtuous circle. We have Oura rings (one friend admitted to being a bit disappointed when her Oura ring told her she was getting a surprisingly healthy amount of sleep) to track our REM cycles. And we don't merely avoid caffeine after 2pm – that's rookie sleep hygiene. No, we try to practise clean bedtime routines: We don't drink, we don't eat anything too heavy; no screens; you name it… anything in order to give ourselves the best chance of hitting that dreamy eight hours of oblivion. And it's not just us mid-lifers who are poring over sleep apps and signing up to be measured and biohacked to within an inch of our lives. Your thirty-something wife is just another of her cohort who is feverish about nighttime routines: the problem of sleep deprivation in millennials is so widespread that they are commonly known as 'The Tired Generation'. So, dear Uneasy, your feelings are collateral damage in this crusade. Sure, it's lovely to be wrapped around someone now and again, but nothing beats sleeping alone. Sleeping with someone else can be quite trying once the honeymoon is over. There are temperature issues, one is always too hot, while the other is too cold. You say snoring is not often a factor but you might talk, or move, or just breathe a bit too much. And then there's the bed itself: duvet weight, tucked in sheets, disagreements over optimum mattress type. Emilie's husband likes a firm mattress; Emilie, not so much. So they have a compromise mattress which in the end appeals to neither. Emilie sneaks down to sink into her trusty memory foam mattress in the spare room at every given opportunity. Everyone is happy. Lack of sleep can inflict significant damage on a human body and it can also be a huge potential threat to a relationship. People usually want to bring their best selves to a marriage, a self that can be severely compromised by a bad night. And, if children appear, it becomes imperative that at least one person sleeps in order to keep the show on the road. Perhaps your wife would rather sleep in the other room to be able to make the most of her waking hours; rather than emerging from a tough night full of dread. The good news is, dear Uneasy, from our point of view, you are doing pretty damn well: you are getting sex and sleep. However, as you are worrying – and presumably, as a result, not bringing your best self to the day – why not do a little investigating and join her quest for the perfect sleep situation? Work out what exactly it is that is sending her scuttling off to the other room. Is there a temperature issue, in which case get separate duvets (a game-changing idea courtesy of the scandis). Does she like to read in bed but you want the light off or vice versa? (A Kindle is a good solve here). Is the mattress right? Is the bed big enough? Are the curtains heavier in the other room? Perhaps with a little tweak you might find your sleepily ever after. If not, take comfort in the fact that you are not alone, in sleeping alone. A friend of ours, who is a very distinguished interior designer, says that the third meeting with a client is always when 'the snoring room' come up. 'Of course, we're very happy,' they all say, 'It's just that the snoring is unbearable.' Separate rooms do not equate to separate lives. One last thing, dear Uneasy. It is interesting to us that you say in your letter that you 'want all of her'. Perhaps that sounds romantic to you, and it might well be. It might also be a lot of pressure, on both of you. Careful, because none of us can be everything, or give everything, to someone else. It is important in any relationship to have room to grow, to oxygenate and flourish. An urge to be possessed, to be held all the time, might initially have felt very natural and exciting, but over time, could feel a little stifling. Don't tuck her in too tight. We are not saying that this is what is making her bolt for the other bedroom, but it is worth keeping an eye on. Good luck and good night. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Solve the daily Crossword

11 Things the Most Emotionally Supportive Grandparents Do Differently, According to a Psychologist
11 Things the Most Emotionally Supportive Grandparents Do Differently, According to a Psychologist

Yahoo

time3 days ago

  • Yahoo

11 Things the Most Emotionally Supportive Grandparents Do Differently, According to a Psychologist

11 Things the Most Emotionally Supportive Grandparents Do Differently, According to a Psychologist originally appeared on Parade. Close your eyes and picture your favorite memories with your grandparents when you were growing up. If those moments were warm, fuzzy and full of love, you very likely had emotionally supportive grandparents. Although much of the emotional support a child receives comes from the parent or parents, this is an area where grandmas and grandpas can also contribute. 'Grandparents can play a very key role in a grandchild's emotional development,' says A. Biller, Psy.D., Director, Mental Health at the Audrey Hepburn Children's House at Hackensack University Medical Center. This emotional support is best carried out as a partnership between primary caregivers and grandparents. Ahead, discover the key things that emotionally supportive grandmothers and grandfathers do Grandparents Who Make the Biggest Impact on Their Grandkids Usually Do These 10 Things, Psychologists Say Why Is It Important To Be Emotionally Supportive of Grandchildren? Dr. Biller says that grandmothers and grandfathers have the distinct perspective of being able to provide love, support and care with far fewer daily parenting stressors and limitations that parents face. He adds that it's well-established that positive attachment between children and their grandparents results in decreased depressive symptoms, in both single parent families as well as in families in which children maintain strong relationships with their parents. 'Similarly, a secure emotional attachment between grandparents and grandchildren can mitigate the negative impact of less than ideal parental mental health and general functioning,' he explains. Dr. Biller also indicates that the positive attachment between grandparents and their grandchildren has beneficial impacts on grandparents themselves. In other words? Everyone wins when it comes to emotional Child Psychologists Are Begging Parents and Grandparents To Stop Asking These 10 Questions 11 Things the Most Emotionally Supportive Grandparents Do Differently, According to a Psychologist Here are some characteristics that set these grandmas and grandpas apart. 1. They Spend Quality Time With Their Grandchildren Dr. Biller says that when emotionally supportive grandparents spend time with their grandchildren, they do so in a manner that's felt in a sincere and genuine way. For example, when sharing a meal with a granddaughter or grandson, the grandparent will talk with the grandchild and be curious about the things that are meaningful to them, from school to relationships. Or, if a grandparent attends a grandkid's performance or game, the grandma or grandpa minimizes distractions such as phones and conversations and is there fully.'Although we think that our grandchildren are occupied with their activities, they are also tuned in to see how they are being taken in,' Dr. Biller says. 'Similarly, there is significant value in being able to discuss and process what the child engaged in after the activity.' Related: 2. They Respect Family Boundaries Emotionally supportive grandparents recognize the boundaries established by their grandchild's primary caregivers. 'It is not uncommon for grandparents to overlook the value of boundaries when attempting to provide unbridled love and kindness,' Dr. Biller says, adding that when a grandparent provides this love, the acts shouldn't be in opposition to the parents' wishes. When this happens, Dr. Biller says that it can bring on 'significant conflict and emotional confusion.' 3. They Listen to Their Grandchildren 'As is necessary in any meaningful relationship, it is imperative that grandparents fully listen to their grandchildren,' Dr. Biller says. 'The listening that is necessary involves more than auditory listening. It is essential that grandparents listen with their ears, eyes and other senses to ensure that they are responses to actual needs and respectful of their grandchild's boundaries.' Related: 4. They Share Life Experiences Emotionally supportive grandparents share their abundance of life experiences with their grandchildren.'It is imperative when sharing life experiences that grandparents do so in a realistic manner, sharing candor and humility,' Dr. Biller says. 'Grandchildren will learn best when grandparents share the reason that their experiences had an impact rather than simply describing the experience.' 5. They Provide Companionship Dr. Biller notes that while stories, hugs and smiles add quality to the time spent between grandparents and grandkids, consistency and reliability is important when it comes to companionship. In fact, this grandparent/grandchild relationship can serve as a foundation for a grandchild's expectation for later relationships. Related: 6. They Foster Emotional Socialization Although emotions tend to be experienced organically, Dr. Biller says that deliberate emotional development is primarily achieved through experience and exploration, something that can also be referred to as 'emotional socialization.' 'It is very beneficial for grandparents to be emotionally expressive and explain to their grandchildren the emotional impact of their interactions,' Dr. Biller says. 'Through discussions of emotional experiences, grandparents enhance their grandchildren's understanding of the nuances of different emotions and gain comfort speaking about their feelings.' Related: 7. They Serve as Role Models and Mentors 'As we all know, children learn from what we do, rather than what we say,' Dr. Biller explains. 'It should not be a surprise that grandparents who provide good examples through their actions have a positive emotional impact on their grandchildren's wellbeing.' Related: 6 Ways Kids Benefit From Spending Time With Grandparents, a Child Psychologist Reveals 8. They Act as "Historians' Dr. Biller says that emotionally supportive grandparents act as 'historians' of their families, explaining family traditions, values and ethnic heritage in detail. 'Grandparents serve a key role in linking past generations to future generations,' he shares. 'Through engaged retelling of stories about family members, grandchildren better understand their personal and cultural heritage.' 9. They Model Appropriate Emotional Expression According to Dr. Biller, emotionally supportive grandparents model 'appropriate emotional expression' and 'provide guidance on coping with strong emotions.' 'Through activities such as active play and reading with grandchildren, grandparents can serve an important role in teaching children how to manage and express their emotions,' he explains. 'When reading with children, it is best if grandparents are able to face their grandchildren, so that the child learns about emotions through listening to voice intonation as well as viewing facial expressions.' Related: 10. They Maintain Support Into Adulthood Dr. Biller says that the positive impact of emotional support from grandparents does not end at age 18, 'and why should it?' he adds. He goes on to say, 'The time and effort that is invested into an emotionally supportive relationship between a grandparent and child is beneficial throughout young adulthood and beyond. Personal growth does not have an end and, therefore, if a grandchild is fortunate to maintain a secure relationship with a grandparent, beyond their adolescence and into young adulthood, the grandchild is able to adapt their functioning based on the lessons and experiences that they learned from during their early interactions with their grandparents.' 11. They Love Unconditionally Emotionally supportive grandparents love unconditionally, but have 'appropriate boundaries' as Dr. Biller states. Although grandparents tend to play by 'a different set of rules' than parents, as Dr. Biller points out, he says that it's still imperative that grandparents respect the boundaries of their grandchildren and children. 'Loving unconditionally includes being mindful of how acts of love are expressed and how they are received,' he concludes. Up Next:Source: Brett A. Biller, Psy.D., Director, Mental Health at the Audrey Hepburn Children's House at Hackensack University Medical Center 11 Things the Most Emotionally Supportive Grandparents Do Differently, According to a Psychologist first appeared on Parade on Jul 19, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store