U.S. faces shortage of IV fluids, India alerts domestic firms to chip in

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India’s drug exporters body Pharmexcil has alerted members to a shortage of intravenous (IV) fluids the U.S. is facing in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene damage to a facility and urged them to explore the opportunity to chip in with supplies.

Manufacturers of intravenous fluids having approvals from the U.S. FDA/EU/SRA countries as well as the capacities to supply intravenous fluids to the U.S. are requested to submit their willingness to supply, Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India Director General Raja Bhanu said.

The communication to the members recently followed the Embassy of India in Washington informing the exporters body under the Commerce Ministry about a critical shortage of IV fluids prevailing in the U.S. due to the serious damage Hurricane Helene caused to a Baxter International plant.

The U.S. President has declared a national public health emergency due to the shortage of the critical fluids that are required for surgeries and other medical procedures. Several hospitals have postponed non-essential medical procedures, while the U.S. FDA has also authorised import of the fluids from other countries, it said.

Hurricane Helene that raged through in late September was one of the deadliest storms to wreak havoc on the U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. According to reports atleast 200 people died.

As another support measure, consequent to the shortage of the fluids, the U.S. FDA on October 28 announced extended use dates for some parenteral drug products, after a review of the stability data submitted by Baxter International, which is a leading manufacturer of the fluids.

Separately, in an update, the company said its North Cove manufacturing site was significantly impacted by the rain and storm surge from Hurricane Helene, which was unprecedented in Western North Carolina and resulted in water flooding the facility. “We are encouraged to report that, barring any unanticipated developments, Baxter anticipates restarting the highest-throughput IV solutions manufacturing line this week. Initial batches will be manufactured concurrently with ongoing quality activities and would only be released in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements to ensure the quality and safety of the products. It is important to note that the earliest that new North Cove product could begin entering the distribution channel is mid- to late-November,” it said.

In pictures: Rage of Hurricane Helene

Structures destroyed on the bank of river Crystal after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Steinhatchee, Florida.

People and pets are rescued from flooded neighbourhoods in the aftermath of the hurricane on Friday (September 27, 2024) in Crystal River, Florida.

Western North Carolina was essentially cut off because of landslides and flooding that forced the closure of Interstate 40 and other roads.

A man and his dog being rescued after his sailboat became disabled during Hurricane Helene approximately 25 miles off Sanibel Island, Florida on Thursday (September 26, 2024)

The hurricane caused several
billions of dollars of destruction across the southeastern U.S.

Several flood and flash flood warnings remained in effect in parts of the southern and central Appalachians, while high wind warnings also covered parts of Tennessee and Ohio.

Moody’s Analytics said it expects $15 billion to $26 billion in property damage.

Officials urged people who were trapped to call for rescuers and not tread floodwaters, warning they can be dangerous due to live wires, sewage, sharp objects and other debris.

The hurricane led to the destruction of private properties worth of billions of dollars.

An athletic field is flooded after heavy rain and filling with debris on September 27, 2024 in Boone, North Carolina.

A Motel is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, in Cedar Key, Florida on Friday (September 27, 2024)

A drone view shows a flooded and damaged area, following Hurricane Helene in Steinhatchee, Florida. Some neighborhoods were so badly flooded that only car roofs could be seen poking above the water.

Homes are levelled in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Horseshoe Beach, Florida.

A mother and her son seen walking towards their home severely damaged after the hurricane.

Power crews work on the lines after the hurricane as more than three million people spent the weekend without any power.

Volunteers with Project a non-profit organization based in Alabama serve meals after Hurricane Helene made landfall overnight in Madison, Florida, U.S., September 27, 2024.