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Baxter IV Shortages: Information and Resources

The AUA supports our many members and patients affected by the recent catastrophic weather events in the southeastern United States.

We are aware that many practices are experiencing shortages of IV products due to hurricane damage to Baxter’s facility in North Carolina. We understand Baxter is working to restore its operations and increasing the current US allocation levels of its highest demand IV fluids. Additionally, the FDA is working to temporarily import products to help meet patient needs, and on October 15, the Department of Health and Human Services invoked the Defense Production Act to help Baxter obtain materials to clean and rebuild. 

The AUA will continue to monitor these production and supply chain issues. We are sharing the following information and resources to support you as you navigate these shortages in the days and weeks ahead. 

The Latest News:

Resources for Conservation of Supplies:

We know that health systems and hospitals are developing IV utilization protocols specific to their operations. The following resources may be helpful to you as you consider strategies for your practice. Each health system, hospital and practice should use their own judgment when implementing conservation strategies.

The AUA appreciates the FDA’s emergency guidance, which provides flexibility for hospital pharmacies and compounding pharmacies to compound certain parenteral drug products to ameliorate the IV fluid shortage. Unfortunately, the emergency guidance is unlikely to completely solve the problem due to the difficulty in sourcing the raw materials, such as sterile water and empty sterile bags. Some compounders may be able to help on a limited/local level. The AUA recommends that urologists work with local compounders to determine their capability and how long it may take them to ramp up production. 

For assistance locating a compounding pharmacy near you, visit the APC’s compounding pharmacy locator tool.

Check the state license status of a pharmacy by visiting the APC's licensure lookup tool

For help managing the drug shortage in your practice, hospital or health center, please visit the FDA’s drug shortage management news release.

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