Senator calls on HHS to fix IV solutions shortage

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., is urging U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and administration officials to use all appropriate authorities to resolve the national shortage of intravenous (IV) solutions caused by the halt in production at the Baxter International plant in Marion, N.C. “Flooding from Hurricane Helene compromised the safe operations, inventory, raw materials and roadway access at Baxter International’s intravenous (IV) solution plant in Marion, North Carolina,” said Klobuchar. “The plant - the largest manufacturing facility of IV solutions in the country - has been forced to cease production. To address the potentially life-threatening shortage of IV solutions, I urge the Department of Health and Human Services to use all of its available authority to mitigate this devastating situation which threatens patient care, the work of medical and provider staff, and our emergency response readiness.” Klobuchar is also warning that another plant, B. Braun in Daytona Beach, Fla., manufacturing IV solutions could also become compromised by Hurricane Milton, exacerbating the existing shortage. HHS did publish a press release on Oct. 9 that said it is coordinating a USG-wide response to address supply chain disruptions and that it is also working with public and private partners to support the supply chain while the Baxter facility is brought back to full operational capacity. Additionally, “FDA will continue working with Baxter to identify both potential products already in their system and alternative manufacturing sites, including for potential temporary imports,” HHS stated. “As alternatives are identified, FDA is expediting assessments of those options. FDA will also expedite consideration of any shelf-life extension requests manufacturers submit for short-dated product. FDA will continue to work with Baxter as they bring their plant back online and with other suppliers to increase supply.” 

• Go here for the full text of Klobuchar’s letter to Becerra.