SANDOZ has announced that it has entered into a distribution agreement with CSL Seqirus to distribute Benpen (benzylpenicillin sodium), a vital antibiotic used in the treatment of a broad range of serious bacterial infections.
The agreement takes effect from today, and aims to enhance patient access to the essential antibiotic and continue its reliable supply across Australia.
A global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, Sandoz has doubled its global manufacturing capacity since 2021, and is now producing up to 240 million packs of antibiotics annually, significantly improving access to critical medicines worldwide.
Earlier this year, Sandoz reinforced its commitment to a sustainable supply of life-saving antibiotics with a 50 million (A$89 million) investment to expand its Kundl, Austria, facility.
"Antibiotics are the fifth-most prescribed drug type in Australia, underscoring the importance of access to critical medicines like Benpen," said Clint Holland, Sandoz GM for Australia and NZ.
"Our continued investment in our global manufacturing capacity and the expansion of our Kundl facility demonstrates our unwavering commitment to ensuring a sustainable, reliable supply of these life-saving medicines for patients around the world," Holland said.
CSL Seqirus' Danielle Dowell, Executive Director ANZ Commercial Operations, noted that the agreement underscores both companies' dedication to ensuring the continued availability of essential medicines to Australian patients and healthcare providers.
"In that time, many Australians have been treated with this potentially lifesaving antibiotic.
"We are pleased to be partnering with Sandoz to continue this tradition of supporting clinicians as they improve health outcomes for people experiencing serious conditions," Dowell said.
Benpen is indicated for treating infections caused by benzylpenicillin sensitive organisms, including Streptococcus pyogenes and most other Gram-positive organisms. KB
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