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- US Works to Rebuild IV Solution Supply after Hurricane Helene
A factory that produces intravenous (IV) fluids will be rebuilt using the Defense Production Act. The Baxter International factory was flooded during Hurricane Helene in September. Damage to the plant made worse a nationwide shortage of IV fluids. As a result, some hospitals have postponed surgeries and procedures.
According to an October 9 letter written by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, the Baxter facility “provides a significant portion of the IV solution, irrigation fluid and peritoneal solution supply in the United States. There were shortages of normal saline IV fluids, normal saline irrigation fluid, sterile water irrigation and dextrose 5% IV fluids pre-dating Hurricane Helene, and the Baxter disruption is worsening IV fluid constraints.”
The FDA will rely on temporary imports of some IV fluid products from overseas to help meet patient needs while the shortage continues.