FDA confirms end to IV saline shortage caused by Hurricane Helene
The nationwide shortage of intravenous and injectable saline solutions is over, nearly a year after Hurricane Helene devastated a Baxter manufacturing facility near Asheville, North Carolina.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, Martin Makary, MD, confirmed the news on Friday, writing in a statement that “the nationwide shortage of sodium chloride 0.9% injection products” has officially ended.
“This marks a significant milestone for public health and reinforces the FDA’s commitment to ensuring Americans have consistent access to life-saving medical products,” he added.
Saline IV solutions have been officially removed from the agency’s list of current shortages. Makary credited collaboration between the FDA and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, as well as the pharmaceutical industry, for resolving supply chain disruptions.
When Hurricane Helene hit the Baxter plant, the ripple effects left the government scrambling to find new imports to meet the demand for saline bags. The site produced upwards of 60% of the supply for the entire nation, and was not fully operational until February 2025, roughly five months after it was flooded.
Other companies, mainly Fresenius and B. Braun Medical, ramped up production during Baxter’s downtime. In May, Baxter announced its supplies of IV saline and other substances had been fully restored.
In its statement, however, the FDA said some IV solutions remain in short supply, and that the agency is working with drug manufacturers to overcome the shortfall.
The full announcement from Makary is available here.
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