UPDATE: Baxter to Increase Allocations for IV Solution Supplies to Hospitals Effective Today, Oct. 9

Baxter today announced that it is increasing the current U.S. allocation levels of its highest demand IV fluids for direct customers from 40% to 60%, and for distributors from 10% to 60%, effective today, Oct. 9. Baxter also said it is increasing high concentration dextrose and sterile water for injection allocations and expects to be in a position to make additional increases for certain product codes by early November. In addition, due to the vulnerable patient population they serve, allocations for IV solutions and nutrition products for designated children’s hospitals were increased to 100%, Baxter said. On a call yesterday with the Department of Health and Human Services, Heather Knight, Baxter executive vice president and group president of medical products and therapies, said that Baxter expects to be at 90% to 100% by the end of the year. 

In addition, Baxter said it is actively delivering supplies to current peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. “The allocations for PD solutions remain as communicated, and we are working with our partners to conserve and identify alternate sources of supply across all PD product categories,” Baxter said. “In addition, we are closely monitoring stock levels and working with partners and professional bodies to optimize utilization of PD supplies.” See today’s Baxter update and letter sent to customers.  

HHS SECRETARY'S LETTER TO HEALTH CARE LEADERS AND STAKEHOLDERS 

In a letter to health care leaders and stakeholders, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said the department is coordinating a government-wide response to address the supply chain. The letter said the Food and Drug Administration “will continue working with Baxter to identify both potential products already in their system and alternative manufacturing sites, including for potential temporary imports. As alternatives are identified, FDA is expediting assessments of those options. FDA will also expedite consideration of any shelf-life extension requests manufacturers submit for short-dated product. FDA will continue to work with Baxter as they bring their plant back online and with other suppliers to increase supply.” 

AHA TAKE 

“Baxter’s announcement is welcome news for patients and health care providers,” AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack said in a statement. “We appreciate the Administration’s collaboration with us on this and their responses to date to ensure the needs of hospitals and patients are met. While we know the recovery from this historic storm will take time, we are grateful for the ongoing commitment to mitigate these supply chain disruptions and ensure access to care for patients.” 

BACKGROUND 

The AHA is continuing efforts on multiple fronts to provide updates and assist members related to the supply chain issues resulting from the closure of a Baxter manufacturing plant in North Carolina because of damage from Hurricane Helene. The plant manufactures approximately 60% — or 1.5 million bags — of the IV solutions used every day in the U.S. Visit our webpage for more information and resources. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND QUESTIONS 

Please visit our webpage for more information and resources on the situation. If you have further questions, please contact Nancy Foster, vice president for quality and patient safety policy, at nfoster@aha.org, or Roslyne Schulman, director of policy at rschulman@aha.org.