This analysis examined the market landscape for five essential penicillin formulations used in the treatment of syphilis and rheumatic heart disease within nine countries of the World Health Organization South‑East Asia Region. The stated objective was to assess how product registration, inclusion on national essential medicines lists, procurement, availability, pricing and demand forecasting influence access to these penicillin products across the region.
The authors analysed market data for five essential penicillin formulations across nine countries using a structured survey form. The survey collected information on product registration status, listing in national essential medicines lists, procurement practices, reported availability, pricing and the presence or absence of demand forecasting processes. The analysis focused on regional disparities in these domains; specific country‑level methodological details were reported in the source.
The study identified substantial variation in penicillin prices between countries. A highlighted example: the price of benzathine benzylpenicillin 1.2 million IU in Timor‑Leste was over 23 times higher than the price in Bangladesh (US$ 3.45 versus US$ 0.15). For the 2.4 million IU benzathine benzylpenicillin formulation, prices varied up to 55‑fold across the region. These wide price differentials indicate major inconsistencies in affordability and procurement pricing across countries in the South‑East Asia Region.
Multiple countries reported supply disruptions or shortages of key penicillin formulations. Specifically:
These reported shortages spanned both injectable and oral penicillin formulations and affected countries with diverse procurement and regulatory environments.
Using morbidity‑based estimates, the study calculated annual regional demand and associated cost estimates for two penicillin formulations: benzathine benzylpenicillin 2.4 million IU (injectable) and phenoxymethylpenicillin 250 mg (oral). The reported figures are:
The study noted that India has the highest demand for both of these formulations among the countries assessed. These aggregated demand and cost estimates illustrate the large procurement volumes and spending required to meet morbidity‑based needs in the region.
The authors concluded that pronounced differences in product registration, procurement practices, pricing and demand forecasting undermine reliable access to essential penicillin products across the WHO South‑East Asia Region. The study recommends policy and operational approaches to improve equitable and sustainable access, including:
These recommended measures aim to address the multiple, interrelated drivers of poor access documented by the survey—registration gaps, inconsistent procurement, extreme price variability and forecasting shortfalls.
All findings summarised here are drawn from the source survey and analysis as reported in the abstract. Where the primary article contains additional country‑level detail or methodological nuance, those specifics are contained in the full text. The abstract provides the key regional figures, reported shortages, price comparisons and the study’s headline recommendations.
In the WHO South‑East Asia Region, the market landscape for penicillin formulations used to treat syphilis and rheumatic heart disease is heterogeneous. Large intercountry price differences, documented supply shortages and limited forecasting undermine dependable access. The source recommends coordinated regional action—improved forecasting, regulatory harmonization and pooled procurement—to achieve more equitable and sustainable access to essential penicillin products.