Duval Times

Hurricane Helene has caused significant disruption to the supply of intravenous (IV) fluids in the United States, following severe damage to Baxter International's manufacturing plant in North Carolina. This facility is responsible for producing over half of the nation's IV fluid supply. The closure has led to a strain on medical resources, prompting healthcare providers to delay non-emergency procedures and conserve supplies for urgent cases.

In response, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott have reached out to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra. They have urged the administration to invoke the Defense Production Act to assist smaller manufacturers in boosting production during this shortage.

"While importing supply from approved manufacturers abroad can be helpful in the short-term, HHS must do more to expand approvals and resources to all capable domestic IV fluid manufacturers by invoking the Defense Production Act (DPA) and other agency supportive actions to increase domestic production," they stated in their letter. "HHS must also commit to greater transparency in its actions regarding the current available supply so healthcare providers can plan accordingly."

The senators emphasized that delays in addressing this shortage could lead to adverse outcomes for patients, particularly with an expected rise in demand during the winter respiratory season. They stressed that maintaining an adequate supply of IV fluids is crucial for patient safety and system stability as states recover from hurricane impacts.

Their letter also posed several questions regarding HHS's response strategies, including why the DPA has not been invoked yet, whether there are plans to extend shelf life for certain solutions nearing expiration, how imported supplies are being ensured for safety and quality, and how future shortages might be better managed.

The senators await a prompt response from Secretary Becerra on these issues.