All forms of Penicillin are available in stock at the Fiji Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Services Centre.

Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr James Fong confirmed this and said one particular type of Penicillin called Flucloxacillin was only available as a 250mg capsule and not the usual 500mg capsule.

He said the 500mg Flucloxacillin capsules stock were expected in the country on March 30.

“In this current Leptospirosis outbreak, we have been able to ensure that more than 90 per cent of suspect cases were put on Penicillin early,” he said.

“This resulted in lower than expected severe case admissions in Central division and rapid decreases in Western and Northern division. Essentially, indicating broad Penicillin availability in Subdivisions.

“The only subdivision that had reduced Ampicillin stock was Sigatoka (related to the leptospirosis surge in Navosa) but their stocks were replenished today.”

He added that other line items like Panadol, Oral Rehydration Salts and other stocks of Antibiotics were available and distributed as fast as possible.