In a letter sent today to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, FAH called for the Administration to take a series of immediate actions to address and rectify the ongoing shortage of IV solutions following the closure of Baxter’s North Cove facility in North Carolina due to damage from Hurricane Helene.

FAH urged HHS to:

• Declare a national public health emergency under the National Emergencies Act and/or the Stafford Act to expedite actions to mitigate the shortage;
• Declare a formal drug shortage and take any necessary actions to leverage the support of Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for alternative saline solutions;
• Request an extension of the shelf-life of IV Solutions and Peritoneal Dialysis solutions that are beyond or nearing their expiration date;
• Establish clear guidelines for providers on using expired saline products; and,
• Remove any barriers to importing IV solutions and Peritoneal Dialysis solutions from abroad, particularly those already approved by the European Union.

These actions, as outlined by FAH, can help to ensure timely access to critical medical supplies and support patient care during this crisis.

Read the letter here.