Lawmakers are urging continued action by the Department of Health and Human Services to address the critical IV fluid shortage affecting hospitals across the nation.
The shortage, caused by the temporary closure of Baxter International‘s manufacturing plant in North Carolina due to flooding from Hurricane Helene, has created significant challenges for health care providers in Virginia and across the country.
U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine of Virginia joined Sens. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania in sending a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra.
The senators’ letter comes in response to the production halt at Baxter International, the largest manufacturer of intravenous (IV) solutions in the United States, which produces nearly two-thirds of the IV fluids used in U.S. hospitals. While federal agencies, including the HHS, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), work to increase supply from other manufacturers, allow temporary importation of products manufactured abroad and provide guidance on compounded alternatives, hospitals across the country, including in Virginia, continue to face shortages and need clear communication to effectively plan for the months ahead. The letter emphasized that the federal response must especially prioritize providers whose patient communities will be most at risk in the face of continued shortages.
“The uncertainty created by reduced product deliveries has led to conservation policies in health facilities across our states. After orders were recently cancelled, some providers have reported having only single-digit days’ worth of product on hand, while others are utilizing over the-counter oral hydration solutions like Gatorade — and fear reduced allocations of those alternatives as well. While providers are seeing promising results from HHS’s actions so far, we must ensure this progress continues,” the senators wrote.
The senators encouraged expedited arrival of additional product from overseas while steps are taking to increase production in the United States. They also asked for “clear and continuous communication to health providers on their options and the path forward as communities recover from this storm and any impact that may stem from Hurricane Milton.”
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Rebecca Barnabi
