FDA declares IV fluid shortage in the wake of Helene

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday declared shortages of three intravenous drugs produced at a North Carolina plant that has been temporarily shut down due to the devastation from Hurricane Helene.

Confirming concerns that sprang up after the storm, the FDA declared shortages of Dextrose 70% IV Solution, Lactated Ringers IV Solution and Peritoneal Dialysis Solution.

Both Dextrose 70% IV Solution and Lactated Ringers IV Solution are used to rehydrate patients. The dextrose solution provides calories and lactated ringers provides electrolytes. Peritoneal Dialysis Solution is used for patients who have acute or chronic kidney failure and must use a dialysis machine.

Industry groups had called on the FDA to declare a shortage so hospital pharmacies have the flexibility to prepare their own IV solutions and providers know to conserve their supply.

All three products were produced by Baxter International’s manufacturing plant in Marion, N.C., before Helene caused production to cease. Baxter’s plant provided about 60 percent of IV solutions used by U.S. hospitals.

Baxter says it is “advancing multiple paths” to mitigate disruptions in the supply chain but it will likely be a couple weeks until production resumes. A return to full capacity may not occur until the end of the year.

Other manufacturers like B. Braun Medical, whose own facility in Daytona Beach, Fla., temporarily stopped operations in anticipation of Hurricane Milton, have said they are ramping up their production to help with the shortage.

Baxter is increasing production at its global plants, and federal authorities have approved temporary imports of certain IV fluids from Baxter’s facilities in Europe, Canada and China. A survey from the group purchasing organization Premier Inc. found more than 86 percent of health care providers are experiencing shortages of IV fluids.