Supply of a drug commonly used to treat 'school sores' has been wiped clean from pharmacy shelves across Sydney, with products for those who contract the highly contagious skin infection unlikely to be replenished for at least six months.
Pharmaceutical suppliers are unable to say when Bactroban will become available, but information on the Department of Health's website says there won't be a resupply until the end of October. Full stock levels are not expected until December 31.
The department declared the drug to be in shortage on Thursday, and already pharmacies are feeling the effect.
On Sunday a number of pharmacies in Pyrmont, Blacktown, Collaroy and Cronulla were without any Bactroban at all, with pharmacists unsure of when their stock would be filled again.
A spokeswoman for the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) said the government were working to source an alternative treatment.
"TGA is actively working with suppliers to source an alternative product to Bactroban to ensure there is an appropriate supply of a medicine whilst there is the shortages. There are alternative oral antibiotics for available for impetigo if required."
GSK, an Australian supplier of the drug said in a statement the disruption was "temporary" and confirmed pharmacies will experience "intermittent stock outs".
"Patients will need to talk to their doctor about alternative treatment options… we are working to rectify the situation," a spokesperson for GSK told Fairfax Media.
According to government website Better Health Channel, 'school sores', formally known as impetigo, is caused by the Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacteria and can be characterised with small, crusting and leaking blisters.
The condition is most common in school-aged children and can be spread easily in densely populated environments like schools or daycare centres.
If left untreated it can cause lasting skin abscesses and is dangerous for newborn babies because of their undeveloped immune system.
