FDA approves drug imports, CMS certain blanket waivers after hurricanes

Baxter Healthcare Corp., in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration, has agreed to temporarily import certain intravenous drug products, such as sodium chloride, from the company’s manufacturing facilities in Ireland and Australia to address shortages of critical drug products after Hurricane Maria. In other hurricane-related news, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services yesterday announced several blanket waivers for hospitals and other health care facilities to prevent gaps in access to care for beneficiaries in areas of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi impacted by Hurricane Nate.