US approves temporary imports of IV fluids as hospitals grapple with storm-related shortages

Federal health officials have approved the import of certain IV fluids from overseas as hospitals across the country scramble to deal with a Hurricane Helene-inflicted shortage. 

The shortage occurred after floodwaters from Helene damaged Baxter International’s IV fluid manufacturing facility in Marion, N.C. The plant had supplied roughly 60 percent of the IV solution used by hospitals in the U.S. every day.  

A survey from group purchasing organization Premier Inc. found that more than 86 percent of health care providers are experiencing shortages of IV fluids in the aftermath of Helene. Shortages were evenly spread nationwide, across all provider types. 

The survey found nearly 17 percent of providers were starting to cancel elective procedures and more may follow suit in the next month if the situation doesn’t improve. About 54 percent of providers in the survey reported they had 10 days or fewer of IV fluids in inventory.  

Late Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved temporary imports of IV fluid from Baxter facilities in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Canada and China.  

“FDA will continue working with Baxter to identify both potential products already in their system and alternative manufacturing sites, including for potential temporary imports. As alternatives are identified, FDA is expediting assessments of those options,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra wrote in a Wednesday letter to health providers.  

Becerra’s letter noted that many of the fluids were already in short supply, and the hurricanes “likely lead to further constraints for IV fluids.” 

The department urged providers to make use of compounded versions of drugs, which can be used to temporarily help alleviate shortages. 

In anticipation of more deliveries from the international facilities, Baxter said it was increasing the allocation levels of our highest demand IV fluids for direct customers to 60 percent of their normal orders. 

Becerra said in the letter that about 400 agency personnel were on the ground in the Southeast to aid in search and rescue and recovery efforts in the impacted communities. He said the government has been working with Baxter from the day the storm hit North Carolina to ensure employees and their families are safe and to address gaps in supplies. 

“My department commits to mitigating the impact of Hurricane Helene and doing all we can to prevent further disruption as a result of Hurricane Milton,” he wrote. “Not only do we commit to doing all we can during this supply chain disruption, but we also commit to doing all we can to diversify and build resilience in this supply chain going forward.” 

Baxter on Wednesday said the goal is to restart production at the plant in phases and return to full allocation of certain IV solution product codes by the end of the year. 

On Wednesday, B. Braun — the nation’s second-largest manufacturer of IV fluid — closed its facility in Daytona Beach ahead of Milton. It said it plans to resume operations Friday. Ahead of the storm, the company said employees worked with the federal government to move supplies from its distribution center to a secure, temperature-controlled facility north of Florida.

Alli Longenhagen, director of corporate communications at B. Braun, said in a statement to The Hill Thursday that her company’s manufacturing plant and distribution center in Florida were “not seriously impacted” by Milton. Operations are planned to resume on Friday.

“We understand from discussions with employees that there have been no reported injuries, but many are still without power,” said Longenhagen. “We are especially thankful to the employees who remained at the site to provide updates throughout the storm.”

— Updated at 5:51 p.m.