Fresenius Medical Care increases production of IV, dialysate to alleviate shortage

Fresenius Medical Care on Thursday. Increase production of IV infusion and peritoneal dialysis (PD) products The United States is dealing with shortages due to Hurricane Helen's impact on supply chains.

According to the latest information, the company is maximizing the production capacity of its overseas locations to add supply amid industry-wide supply shortages of PD products and IV fluids. Fresenius Medical Care is also exploring other options to address the shortage at the request of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Fresenius Medical Care said it plans to “monitor and conserve supplies, adjust prescriptions and utilize other suppliers to alleviate potential shortages.”

US rushes to address shortage at Baxter facility in North Carolina Damaged by Hurricane Helenmajor manufacturing sites for IV fluids and PD products will be disrupted.

Baxter is We have limited the quantity of certain products Customers and distributors can purchase to manage inventory, limit stockpiling, and minimize interruptions to patient care. Healthcare providers have reported shortages of intravenous fluids, as has the American Hospital Association, after Hurricane Helen halted production at Baxter facilities. called on the Biden administration Baxter plans to re-allocate certain supplies from 90% to 100% by the end of 2024.

Fresenius Medical Care is not the only manufacturer to increase production capacity for critical products. B. Brown is taking steps to increase production of intravenous fluids at its Irvine, Calif., facility and plans to increase production at its Daytona Beach, Fla., facility.

However, both companies are managing the situation After Hurricane Milton hits Florida this week.

B. Brown closed its intravenous solution manufacturing facility and distribution center in Daytona Beach on Wednesday and Thursday. Company spokeswoman Alison Longenhagen said in an emailed statement Thursday that the site “has not been severely impacted by Hurricane Milton and will resume operations as scheduled Friday morning.” .

The company also plans to return its inventory of more than 60 truckloads of IV solutions to its Daytona Beach distribution center after moving supplies to a facility in northern Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton's landfall, Longenhagen wrote. .

B. Brown mentioned in a recent online update The company said its Daytona Beach manufacturing site is “an important part of our plan to address the closure of Baxter's IV Solutions manufacturing facility in North Carolina.” The company said it is in daily contact with drug shortage staff at HHS, the Office of Strategic Preparedness and Response, and the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

Fresenius Medical Care also implemented emergency strategies due to Hurricane Milton. More than 100 dialysis centers were closed on Wednesday and Thursday and equipped with fuel, generators, water trucks and other equipment to ensure patients who need care can receive treatment even if there is a power outage or water outage. A disaster response team has been deployed.