Baxter Increases Allocation Levels for Several IV Solutions Amid Ongoing Shortage

Baxter International has confirmed with customers new allocation levels for several intravenous (IV) product groups, effective Tuesday, November 26.  Baxter also announced it has restarted all 3L irrigation and peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions manufacturing lines, though production output will not immediately return to pre-hurricane levels.

The company advises that it typically takes one to two weeks for products to flow through its supply and distribution network after allocation changes are implemented.  Allocation and fulfillment levels may vary based on product availability at the time of the order.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) on Wednesday, December 4 added empty IV bag containers, primarily used by compounders, to the Medical Device Shortages List.  The shortage is projected to last through March 2025.  The FDA says it is “working with manufacturers to identify and implement mitigations to address the shortage.”  Dextrose 70% IV Solution, Lactated Ringers IV Solution, and Peritoneal Dialysis Solution remain on the FDA’s Drug Shortage Database.

Barring any unanticipated developments, Baxter plans to share details in mid-December on the next phase of increased allocations and expects to reach 100% allocation across multiple IV product codes by the end of the month.

Click here for more information on the shortage, including local and national IV solution shortage updates, CHA’s advocacy efforts to mitigate impacts of the supply chain disruption in Connecticut, and resources to inform conservation strategies.