During the past few years, occasional shortages in the supply and availability of Bicillin^® L-A for the treatment of syphilis in the United States have resulted from manufacturing and distribution issues. STD Programs can reduce the impact of manufacturing shortages by using effective and efficient systems and tools to monitor and predict future Bicillin^® L-A supply and distribution. From September through November 2017, NCSD, in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP), conducted a survey among CDC directly funded STD Programs [STD Project Areas and US-affiliated Pacific Island (USAPI) Jurisdictions] to assess the availability of computerized systems and tools for preventing emergency shortages.

Of the 59 STD project areas and 6 USAPI jurisdictions, 83% (54/65) responded to the survey. Preliminary findings indicate:

• 52% (28/54) do not have a centralized computerized system to monitor Bicillin^® L-A supply and location
• 17% (9/54) indicated that one or more computerized systems to monitor Bicillin^® L-A supply and location are maintained by local health departments in their jurisdiction
• 56% (30/54) do not have written policies or procedures for monitoring the supply of Bicillin^® L-A
• 72% (38/54) are interested in learning more about the availability of web-based, computerized systems that are free of charge, can be easily deployed and used at the state and local level to monitor ordering, supply, distribution and dispensing of Bicillin^® L-A (and other medications or supplies if desired)
• 78% (42/54) are interested in learning more about a spreadsheet tool (under development) to enable STD Project Areas to estimate how much Bicillin^® L-A may be needed based on recent syphilis morbidity and other metrics (presumptive treatments, etc.)

NCSD, in collaboration with the CDC DSTDP, will use these survey results to help increase the capacity of STD Programs to monitor and track their current supply of Bicillin^® L-A and use tools to project future Bicillin^® L-A needs. During 2018, NCSD and CDC anticipates conducting the following activities:

• Identify and share model policies and procedures among STD Programs Areas to monitor the supply of Bicillin^® L-A
• Provide access to web-based, computerized systems to monitor the supply of Bicillin^® L-A that can be deployed at the state or local level
• Distribute a spreadsheet tool to assist STD Programs to estimate future Bicillin^® L-A needs