WDNews, Washington, D.C.The nationwide shortage of sodium chloride 0.9% injection products, also referred to as IV saline, has officially ended, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday.
FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary hailed federal and private sector efforts to stabilize supply chains and increase manufacturing, calling the resolution a major public health milestone.
In order to increase manufacturing, the FDA took emergency measures such allowing temporary imports and accelerating regulatory assessments in response to the shortfall, which impacted hospitals and healthcare providers nationwide.
Makary announced that these items will no longer be listed in the FDA’s Drug Shortage Database, advising health systems to use saline that has been approved by the FDA whenever it is available.
The FDA stated that there is still a shortage of other IV fluids even after the saline deficit has been fixed. According to officials, they are still closely collaborating with producers to keep an eye on supply and avoid any more interruptions.
Makary said the announcement is in line with the Trump administration’s larger initiative to fortify the country’s pharmaceutical and healthcare supply chain.
