Supply Chain UpdatesFDA Efforts to Increase Access and Supply of IV and PD Solutions: Hurricane Helene Recovery in North CarolinaFDA continues ongoing efforts to increase access to and supply of IV and peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions following Hurricane Helene-related damage to Baxter International Inc.’s North Cove facility in Marion, North Carolina. Specifically, FDA acted quickly to conduct scientific and regulatory assessments, facilitating the temporary importation of 40 different IV and PD fluids from seven Baxter facilities around the world. These supply improvements, combined with increased output from other manufacturers, should help health care providers get more of the product they need over the coming weeks.
On October 28, FDA announced extended use dates for some parenteral drug products, after a review of the stability data submitted by Baxter International. Providers and patients that have the lot numbers in stock will be able to use them through the corresponding new use dates to help with supply. The following extended use dates are supported for specific lot numbers indicated in the linked table.
On October 11, FDA released immediately-in-effect guidance providing new flexibilities related to compounding of IV solutions to help fill the gaps from the impact of Hurricane Helene on Baxter's North Cove facility. This guidance will also make it easier for hospitals and other facilities to make their own IV solutions during the shortage. HHS Informational Briefing on IV Fluid Conservation Best Practices (October 28, 2024) 
An example of conservation strategies shared by one organization during the briefing. Video length is 36 minutes.
Hear from the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as hospital and group purchasing organization industry leaders, for an informational briefing on strategies to conserve intravenous fluid (IV) products that are in shortage and may be further impacted until Baxter’s North Cove, NC facility is operational. Statement from Secretary Xavier Becerra on IV Fluid Increase (October 24, 2024) “I am encouraged by reports that Baxter anticipates restarting the highest throughput manufacturing line at Baxter’s North Cove facility next week – sooner than originally expected. There’s more to do, including meeting regulatory requirements of the product manufactured on the restarted line, but this is good news for partners and patients..." Respiratory Illness UpdatesBiden-Harris Administration Takes New Action to Halt the Spread of Bird Flu, including in California and Washington (October 24, 2024) Since the first case of H5N1 was confirmed in cattle, USDA and HHS have led a whole-of-government approach to rapidly respond to the outbreak. In response to the recent spread of H5N1 in lactating dairy cows to California and the resulting human cases and the human cases in Washington resulting from an outbreak among poultry, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are working closely with the state and local counterparts to respond to the outbreak and protect public health. While CDC’s assessment of the risk of avian influenza to the general public remains low, USDA and HHS continue to take this outbreak seriously to protect human health, animal health, and food safety. Read more. FDA Approves RSV Vaccine for Additional Populations (October 22, 2024) FDA approved the vaccine Abrysvo for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in individuals 18 through 59 years of age who are at increased risk for LRTD caused by RSV. Read more. | 
