Baxter aims to import 18K tons of product: 6 IV shortage updates

Baxter International is responding to critical IV supply shortages affecting patients after Hurricane Helene disrupted its North Cove manufacturing facility, which produces 60% of the U.S. IV fluid market's supply. 

With the situation growing urgent, Baxter is importing 18,000 tons of essential products to alleviate these shortages by the end of the year, according to an Oct. 17 news release from the company. 

Here are five more IV shortage updates: 

1. Baxter has made significant strides in recovery, restoring utilities and IT systems at the site. Over 2,500 employees are returning to work at normal pre-hurricane staffing levels this week, supported by 1,000 additional remediation contractors for site cleanup and recovery. A support center has also been established to provide essential supplies to affected staff.
   
   
2. In coordination with the FDA, Baxter has activated seven manufacturing plants worldwide to boost production and initial shipments from Spain and Mexico have arrived to the U.S. The first shipments of product authorized for temporary importation also arrive in the U.S. over the weekend. 
   
   
3. Two weeks after Hurricane Helene damaged the Baxter plant, CVS announced it was closing its Coram infusion pharmacy division, which has led to care disruptions for patients who depend on parenteral nutrition, KFF Health News reported Oct. 18. Around 25,000 patients in the U.S. depend on IV nutrition.
   
   
4. Allocations for IV fluid products remain at 60% of normal levels, which Baxter first commuted to customers Oct. 9.
   
   
5. According to an Oct. 20 report from The Hill, patients and clinicians have been notified to expect between 50 and 90% of the peritoneal dialysis fluids they normally receive. Baxter said it is also temporarily importing additional PD products to improve supply levels. The company has also been partering with healthcare professionals to limit new PD patient starts to pediatric patients 
   
   "Our goal is to restore the number of new [PD] patient starts to pre-Hurricane Helene levels by the end of the year," Baxter said in an Oct. 21 update. "Over the next couple of weeks, we plan to communicate with providers and patients to ensure they are well equipped to adapt and implement adjustments to their prescriptions for new patients as appropriate."

Editor's note: This article was updated on Oct. 21 at 5:15pm to reflect the latest updates from Baxter.