Bulk irrigation and intravenous (IV) fluids: Hospital only issue
Pharmac and Health New Zealand are monitoring the situation of bulk fluid supply in Aotearoa New Zealand.
2 October 2024 | Update
Pharmac understands that Baxter’s North Cove plant in the US has been affected by Hurricane Helene. The site is currently closed for production as the company assesses the extent of the impact.
New Zealand's fluid supply is manufactured in Baxter’s Australian facility. Baxter advises its Australian operations continue to produce above historical levels and are accelerating additional capacity programs to support the local market.
Currently there are no supply interruptions expected in Australia and New Zealand and Baxter is actively monitoring New Zealand inventory levels.
Health New Zealand hospitals minimally affected
While we are aware of supply pressures in other markets, New Zealand operates a different funding model and public hospitals have not been significantly impacted by any supply shortages.
While some products have experienced short term delays the impacts to hospitals has been minimal with orders being filled in days of it going on back order or suppliers communicating direct to hospitals about alternative codes.
We ask that hospitals keep normal ordering levels. If you need additional stock, please contact Baxter directly before placing the order.
Products we're watching
Potassium chloride with sodium chloride(external link)
- Presentation: Inj 40 mmol potassium chloride with 0.9% sodium chloride, 1,000 ml bag
Glucose with potassium chloride and sodium chloride(external link)
- Presentation: Inj 4% glucose with potassium chloride 20 mmol/l and sodium chloride 0.18%, 1,000 ml bag
Baxter has advised that supply of these two products is tight. Shipments are arriving weekly. Pharmac will work with Baxter to ensure hospitals receive ordered stock.
Supply to improve by the end of the year
Pharmac continues to work with our bulk fluid suppliers to monitor the situation. The forecast for the rest of the year looks stable and we don’t anticipate any significant impacts.
Bulk fluid suppliers have indicated that they expect New Zealand supply to improve by the end of the year.
Who to contact
If you have questions about this issue, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz
Please include as much information as you can about the product (presentation, brand, pharmacode) and who your wholesaler is.
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