Summary

Penicillin, pack with 5 ampoules, "Commonwealth E55", brand of procaine penicillin G from CSL. Penicillin product from the 1950s. Made by Commonwealth Serum Laboratories, Parkville

Physical Description

Yellow box of Penicillin "Commonwealth" with 5 glass ampoules of yellow powder. Each ampoule has a silver metal cap. Red and yellow labels on ampoules.

Significance

In 1944 CSL responded immediately to the penicillin discoveries made by the Australian Dr Howard Florey, and his team, in Oxford. CSL supplied the Australian forces and some Americans serving in the Pacific. Using CSL supplies, Australia was the first country in the world to supply penicillin freely to civilians.

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