HQ Team
October 9, 2024: US-based Baxter International Inc., is implementing an allocation policy to limit stockpiling of its drugs after Hurricane Helene ripped through its facility in North Carolina.
The allocations will limit what a customer can order based on historical purchases and medical necessity as well as available and projected inventory.
“Allocations help limit stockpiling and increase the likelihood of equitable access to available products,” according to a company statement.
The Category 4 hurricane has flooded the North Cove manufacturing facility situated in Western North Carolina. The hurricane killed about 227 people.
“We are increasing the current US allocation levels of our highest demand IV fluids for direct customers from 40% to 60%, and for distributors from 10% to 60%, effective Wednesday, Oct. 9.”
Largest maker of peritoneal dialysis solutions
The facility in Marion, North Carolina, is one of the largest manufacturers of intravenous and peritoneal dialysis solutions in the United States, according to the Food & Drug Administration.
The FDA is actively working with Baxter and the Department of Health and Human Services and across the government to confirm “how much product was recently released for distribution, or may be available at wholesalers, and provide any resources and assistance we can during this time.”
“This could include reviewing potential temporary imports or expediting reviews of the cleaned and restored manufacturing lines,” according to an FDA statement.
The FDA is also working with Baxter’s additional facilities to increase supply and reduce the risk of new shortages until Baxter can resume manufacturing the impacted products.
“FDA will also be working with alternative suppliers, as needed, to manage gaps or shortages in the supply of critical products.”
IV solutions for children
Baxter stated that it will increase the high concentration of 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.
“Due to the vulnerable patient population they serve, allocations for IV solutions and nutrition products for designated children’s hospitals were increased to 100%,” according to the Baxter statement.
The Deerfield-headquartered company stated that it was working on a combination of importing products from other Baxter facilities and the resumption of operations and scale-up of production at the North Cove facility.
‘Marketplace misinformation’
“Our goal is to restart North Cove production in phases and return to 90% to 100% allocation of certain IV solution product codes by the end of 2024.”
Baxter CEO, Joe Almeida, said the company will spare no resources, human or financial to restart the operations.
“We are aware that there is a tremendous amount of misinformation circulating in the marketplace, and we are disheartened to see blatant speculation fueling patient and customer concerns.
“As always, prioritizing patient care is our goal, and it is our sincere hope that everyone works to uphold this standard,” he said.
