The Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP) was notified on 15 October 2024, by the company Baxter of the limited availability of certain infusion fluids for intravenous (IV) administration until 31 December 2024. Indeed, Baxter's largest manufacturing facility in North Cove (North Carolina, United States of America) was severely affected by Hurricane Helene.
There are currently global supply constraints due to the implementation of a solidarity system to ensure continuity of care as much as possible on a global scale.
A limited availability of the following infusion fluids for intravenous (IV) administration is reported until 31 December 2024.
- Glucose 5 % w/v + NaCl 0.45% w/v IV solution for infusion 1000 ml Viaflo
- Glucose 5 % w/v Viaflo IV solution for infusion 1000 ml
- Glucose 5 % w/v Viaflo IV solution for infusion 500 ml
- Glucose 5 % w/v Viaflo IV solution for infusion 250 ml
- Hartmann Viaflo Baxter IV solution for infusion 500 ml
- Hartmann Viaflo Baxter IV solution for infusion 1000 ml
- Sodium Chloride Viaflo 0.9 % w/v IV solution for infusion 1000 ml
- Sodium Chloride Viaflo 0.9 % w/v IV solution for infusion 500 ml
- Sodium Chloride Viaflo 0.9 % w/v IV solution for infusion 250 ml
- Water for injections Viaflo Baxter parenteral IV solution 1000 ml
Recommendations for physicians (specialists) and (hospital) pharmacists
Experts of the task force Unavailability recommend the following: to ensure the effectiveness of the following measures, we recommend that all members of the care team, such as nurses, be made aware of them.
- Assess the need for all intravenous infusions, in all patients, and adopt a more thoughtful approach to stock management in hospitals.
- Avoid giving infusions systematically, pre- and postoperatively.
- Use oral electrolytes, hydration and medication whenever possible.
- Stop infusions in patients who drink and eat enough to meet their fluid and calorie needs.
- Patients can drink clear liquids up to two hours before surgery.
- Assess maintenance infusions (or precautionary infusions) every day.
- Discontinue intravenous infusions as soon as possible (especially postoperatively).
- The use of two-way valves on a lock may make it possible to avoid the use of a new infusion.
- Use the lowest possible (syringe) pump flow rates for maintenance infusions.
- Avoid using large volumes to dilute medicinal products. Use volumes of 50 and 100 ml whenever possible.
For outpatients:
- regularly evaluate the need for IV infusion therapy;
- only deliver quantities for a period of up to four weeks.
Follow-up by the FAMHP
The FAMHP, together with the policy cell of the federal minister responsible for public health, is closely monitoring the situation at national and European level.