Supply Chain Shortages Due to Hurricane Helene
(Oct. 15, 2024) Due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene, we are seeing supply chain issues that could impact our sector.
Baxter Supplies Update
Due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene on the Baxter plant in North Cove, North Carolina, a shortage of certain intravenous (IV) fluids and supplies and dialysis solutions may be felt in the coming weeks and months. For updates and more information, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have posted webpages providing updates and guidance, as has Baxter. Additional information about the shortage and conservation strategies is available in this LeadingAge NY Intelligence article and this Dear Administrator Letter (DAL).
Last week, the Department of Health (DOH) collected data through a Health Electronic Response Data System (HERDS) survey to determine the impact on the provider community, and initial reports suggest that the long term care sector is not being largely impacted at this time. Members are urged to keep us apprised if this becomes a concern for your setting or the people you serve.
Baxter reports that on Oct. 9th, the FDA announced that it had authorized 19 IV products for temporary importation from Canada, China, Ireland, and the U.K. This has enabled an increase in U.S. allocation levels of the highest-demand IV fluids for direct customers from 40 to 60 percent, and for distributors from 10 to 60 percent. Baxter also increased high-concentration dextrose and sterile water for injection allocations and expects to be in a position to make additional increases for certain product codes by early November. Baxter’s goal is to return to 90 to 100 percent allocation of certain IV solution product codes by the end of 2024. Baxter updates can be accessed here.
LeadingAge National is working with federal agencies to obtain up-to-date information and resources to support providers.
This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) page has more information regarding the situation.
FDA Temporary Policies for Compounding Certain Parenteral Drug Products
The FDA has added three new parenteral drug products to the Drug Shortages Database. The agency now considers Dextrose 70 Percent IV Solution, Lactated Ringers IV Solution, and Peritoneal Dialysis Solution to not be commercially available in adequate supply to meet national demand. Click here for more information.
As noted above, members are encouraged to let us know if these issues are impacting your operations or the people you serve.
Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828